President Obama authorized sanctions Thursday against unspecified individuals responsible
for “undermining” stability in Ukraine, where Russian troops have occupied a southern region of the country.
The White House said Mr. Obama signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against “individuals and entitities responsible” for threatening peace, security and “territorial integrity” in Ukraine.
for “undermining” stability in Ukraine, where Russian troops have occupied a southern region of the country.The White House said Mr. Obama signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against “individuals and entitities responsible” for threatening peace, security and “territorial integrity” in Ukraine.
Press secretary
Jay Carney said the action is intended as a “flexible tool” to allow the
administration to sanction those most directly responsible for
destabilizing the country, including Russia’s military intervention in
the Crimean peninsula.
Senior presidential adviser Dan Pfeiffer said the president’s order “will set up a framework for potential sanctions.”
Also, the State Department is putting in place visa restrictions on several officials and individuals to deny visas to “those responsible for or complicit in threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the White House said.
The U.S. and western allies are in diplomatic talks with Russia and the new
interim government in Ukraine, seeking a negotiated solution to the
crisis that escalated last week with Russia sending troops into the
strategically important peninsula on the Black Sea.
The White House said the actions build upon the previous steps the United States has taken, including suspending bilateral discussions with Russia on trade and investment, suspending other bilateral meetings on a case-by-case basis, putting on hold U.S.-Russia military-to-military engagement, and suspending temporarily participation in activities associated with the preparation of the scheduled G-8 Summit in Sochi, Russia, in June.
“Depending on how the situation develops, the United States is prepared to consider additional steps and sanctions as necessary,” Mr. Carney said.
Also, the State Department is putting in place visa restrictions on several officials and individuals to deny visas to “those responsible for or complicit in threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the White House said.
The U.S. and western allies are in diplomatic talks with Russia and the new
interim government in Ukraine, seeking a negotiated solution to the
crisis that escalated last week with Russia sending troops into the
strategically important peninsula on the Black Sea.The White House said the actions build upon the previous steps the United States has taken, including suspending bilateral discussions with Russia on trade and investment, suspending other bilateral meetings on a case-by-case basis, putting on hold U.S.-Russia military-to-military engagement, and suspending temporarily participation in activities associated with the preparation of the scheduled G-8 Summit in Sochi, Russia, in June.
“Depending on how the situation develops, the United States is prepared to consider additional steps and sanctions as necessary,” Mr. Carney said.
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