U.S. President Barack Obama initiated a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss Ukraine on Mar. 1, according to a Kremlin statement.
The press release noted that Putin called attention to the “provocative and criminal actions” of Ukrainian “ultranationalists,” and stressed that Russian intervention was justified to protect the “lives and health of Russian citizens and the many compatriots” on Ukrainian soil.
Al Jazeera America released a readout of Obama’s phone conversation on Twitter. In a 90 minute conversation, Obama condemned Russia’s take over of Ukraine, calling it a “breach of international law.” He urged Putin to withdraw Russian troops and work with either the United Nations Security Council or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Obama also cautioned Putin that Russia’s continued violate international law would lead to “greater political and economical isolation” for the country.
In ending, Obama said that the U.S. would work closely with international partners to provide support for the Ukranian government, and allow the country to hold successful elections as it “pursues a democratic future.”
