Obama called on Putin to resolve the crisis in Ukraine through negotiations

US President Barack Obama called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to look for a way of diplomatic resolution of a crisis situation in Ukraine, which would be in the interests of Moscow, Kyiv and the international community, the press service of the White House reports. The American leader expressed confidence that for this government of Russia and Ukraine, direct negotiations “using the international community” should be held, and international observers should be sent to Ukraine who will monitor compliance with the rights of all citizens, including ethnic Russians. Russian troops, according to Obama, must return to their bases, and the international community should support the Ukrainian people in their preparation for the May elections of the president.

Obama emphasized that Russia's actions violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and this forced the United States to adopt the response measures that were coordinated with European partners.

According to the Kremlin’s press service, Putin told Obama that “the current Ukrainian leadership is not imposing absolutely illegitimate decisions that have not been in the anti-constitutional coup, which does not have a nationwide mandate.” According to him, "Russia cannot ignore the calls for help in this regard and acts adequately, in full accordance with the norms of international law."

The Russian leader also paid special attention to the "paramount importance of Russian-American relations to ensure stability and security in the world." “These relationships should not be sacrificed to disagreements for separate - albeit very significant - international problems,” the Kremlin emphasizes.

The presidents agreed that the leaders of the foreign policy departments of the United States and Russia John Kerry and Sergey Lavrov will continue discussions. The Kremlin clarifies that this will be “intensive contacts”, the White House adds that Kerry will also discuss the situation with the Government of Ukraine and other international partners. ”

The heads of state discussed the crisis in Ukraine by phone. The conversation took place on the initiative of Washington and lasted about an hour.

In February, the authorities actually occurred in Ukraine - the Verkhovna Rada passed under the control of the opposition and removed from the power of President Viktor Yanukovych. Russia did not recognize the new authorities of Ukraine. In the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, they also refused to recognize the new government in Kyiv. The local parliament, captured by armed people in military uniform without identification marks, appointed the new prime minister of the leader of the Russian Unity movement Sergei Aksenov. He turned to Vladimir Putin with a request for assistance in providing peace on the territory of autonomy, after which most formations of the army and the Ukrainian Navy in the Crimea were blocked by the Russian military.

In response to the actions of Russia in Ukraine, the United States imposed visa sanctions against the persons responsible for the threat of sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country. The specific surnames that appear on the list are not called, but it is emphasized that it includes both Russian and Ukrainian citizens.