US Sanctions AFTER Russian Invasion of Ukraine - POTUS

The White House: Statement by President Obama on the Crisis in the Ukraine, " Since the Russian intervention, we’ve been mobilizing the international community to condemn this violation of international law and to support the people and government of Ukraine.

This morning I signed an executive order that authorizes sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, or for stealing the assets of the Ukrainian people.

According to my guidance, the State Department has also put in place restrictions on the travel of certain individuals and officials.  These decisions continue our efforts to impose a cost on Russia and those responsible for the situation in Crimea.  And they also give us the flexibility to adjust our response going forward based on Russia’s actions.

We took these steps in close coordination with our European allies.  I’ve spoken to several of our closest friends around the world, and I’m pleased that our international unity is on display at this important moment.  Already, we’ve moved together to announced substantial assistance for the government in Kyiv, and today in Brussels, our allies took similar steps to impose costs on Russia.  I am confident that we are moving forward together, united in our determination to oppose actions that violate international law and to support the government and people of Ukraine.

And that includes standing up for the principle of state sovereignty.  The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and violate international law.  Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine.  In 2014, we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders.

While we take these steps, I want to be clear that there is also a way to resolve this crisis that respects the interests of the Russian Federation, as well as the Ukrainian people.  Let international monitors into all of Ukraine, including Crimea, to ensure the rights of all Ukrainians are being respected, including ethnic Russians.  Begin consultations between the government of Russia and Ukraine, with the participation of the international community.  Russia would maintain its basing rights in Crimea, provided that it abides by its agreements and respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.  And the world should support the people of Ukraine as they move to elections in May.

That's the path of de-escalation, and Secretary Kerry is engaged in discussions with all of the relevant parties, including Russia and Ukraine to pursue that path.  But if this violation of international law continues, the resolve of the United States, and our allies and the international community will remain firm.  Meanwhile, we’ve taken steps to reaffirm our commitment to the security and democracy of our allies in Eastern Europe and to support the people of Ukraine.

One last point -- there’s been a lot of talk in Congress about these issues.  Today, once again, I’m calling on Congress to follow up on these words with action, specifically to support the IMF’s capacity to lend resources to Ukraine and to provide American assistance for the Ukrainian government so that they can weather this storm and stabilize their economy, make needed reforms, deliver for their people, all of which will provide a smoother pathway for the elections that have already been scheduled in May.

Today the world can see that the United States is united with our allies and partners in upholding international law and pursuing a just outcome that advances global security and the future that the Ukrainian people deserve.  That's what we’re going to continue to do in the days to come until we have seen a resolution to this crisis. ".

Lets Get Real:

I could be wrong, but President Obama has spoken more about the Ukraine than Afghanistan or Iraq, the NEW sanctions are weak, as if President Putin of Russia cares about these sanctions, and the very rich would have gotten their money out before any assets freeze could be a threat.  The Crimea is LOST, the West just has to get its head around that, Russia is not giving it back, its the only warm water base they have and they are keeping it, also its been part of Russia for hundred of years.   The good bit of good news is that the US is increasing its military presence in Poland and the Baltic States, that is a clear message, Ukraine and no further.  The question is what will Putin do NOW, does keep his win and freeze or move for the East of the Ukraine, Putin is a mad poker player but he is winning. 

Afghanistan Front News - Afghanistan Theatre

MOD: Has announced the name of the UK Soldier who died on yesterday of non combat action, the Soldier was, " Sapper Adam Moralee from 32 Engineer Regiment ".  Our thoughts are with the family of Sapper Moralee. 

Lets Get Real:

This blog does not know what to say, it has said it before, just feels sad for the families of the Soldiers who have died in Afghanistan, and for what, will Iraq and Afghanistan become like Korea, once out never back in the memory. 

Which side is the UK ON ? - Ukraine Latest

Telegraph - Ukraine Live: Reports the following in its 7.41pm post, " A secret briefing document held by an individual walking into Downing Street has been photographed. It suggests the UK will oppose trade sanctions against Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine....The document also suggests that the UK will not try and restrict Russian trade through the City of London. ".

Lets Get Real:

It would not surprise this blog if the above advice comes from the FCO, they never want to take action, ALL words and hot air meaning nothing, the same people who never support Israel and supported Chamberlain and his appeasement policy in the 1930s.  At what point does the UK take action, when the Russians are on the border of Poland, A NATO country, no one is asking for the West to send in troops to the Ukraine, but the West of the Ukraine could come under Western security, to prevent Russia taking over the entire Country.   The FCO on the whole is not listened to by the better leaders, they represent the weak elite that gave THE UK the 1970s. Time for stern words and brick lines that can not be moved, time to show the Russian Bear that the honey table is off his list, time to take a nap. 

Obama and Russian Sanctions - Ukraine Latest

Guardian - Ukraine Live: Reports the following in its 7.50pm post, " Obama said he expected to work with Congress on a package of economic assistance to the Ukraine and warned Russia of worldwide isolation if it persisted with its aggression, ".

Lets Get Real:

The US will have to lead on sanctions, the UN is frozen with Russia's Veto power, the EU is slow to get anything done, also lot of EU countries get their gas from Russia, thus Moscow can cut off Europe in the Winter.    Every time President Obama has talked about the Ukraine he looks weak, as if he does understand that politics is a winner take all in the view of Putin and Moscow, this is not some Harvard seminar, this is the real world, lets see IF Obama can up his game, his polls have been hit by his weak stand on THE Ukraine, time for POTUS to man up as they say these days. 

President Obama on Ukraine - Ukraine Latest

BBC News - Ukraine Live: Reports the following in its 7.43pm post, " US President Barack Obama says Russia has violated international law in Ukraine. Russia is on the "wrong side of history", he said, adding that the US would look at a series of economic and diplomatic sanctions that would isolate Moscow. ".

Lets Get Real:

One can see the solution, the West has no backbone to taken on President Putin of Russia, very much like the West would not taken on Hitler in the 1930s, one can postulate that the West will place symbolic sanctions and then sell out East Ukraine to Moscow over the heads of the new Government in Kiev, from Washington D.C to London they will argue that the Russian invasion is not a threat, in few months or years the Russians could turn their eyes to the Baltic States and even Poland, at what point does the West draw a line, a firm line, a line that can not be crossed or changed.   It seems leaders have not learned the lesson of Munich 1938, weakness just make tyrants think they can carry on, when you need a leader in the shape of Churchill or Thatcher in the UK and JFK and Reagan in the US they are never around, the people get the leaders they elect, weak leaders, narrow minded leaders, leaders who do not understand what leadership really means in World history. 

President Obama on the Ukraine - Ukraine Crisis

The White House: President Obama's statement on the latest in the Ukraine Crisis, " Over the last several days, the United States has been responding to events as they unfold in Ukraine.  Throughout this crisis, we have been very clear about one fundamental principle: The Ukrainian people deserve the opportunity to determine their own future.  Together with our European allies, we have urged an end to the violence and encouraged Ukrainians to pursue a course in which they stabilize their country, forge a broad-based government and move to elections this spring.

I also spoke several days ago with President Putin, and my administration has been in daily communication with Russian officials, and we've made clear that they can be part of an international community’s effort to support the stability and success of a united Ukraine going forward, which is not only in the interest of The people of Ukraine and the international community, but also in Russia’s interest.

However, we are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside of Ukraine.  Russia has a historic relationship with Ukraine, including cultural and economic ties, and a military facility in Crimea, but any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of Ukraine, Russia, or Europe. 

It would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the Ukrainian people.  It would be a clear violation of Russia’s commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine, and of international laws.  And just days after the world came to Russia for the Olympic Games, it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world.  And indeed, the United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.

The events of the past several months remind us of how difficult democracy can be in a country with deep divisions.  But the Ukrainian people have also reminded us that human beings have a universal right to determine their own future. 

Right now, the situation remains very fluid.  Vice President Biden just spoke with Prime Minister -- the Prime Minister of Ukraine to assure him that in this difficult moment the United States supports his government’s efforts and stands for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic future of Ukraine.  I also commend the Ukrainian government’s restraint and its commitment to uphold its international obligations. 

We will continue to coordinate closely with our European allies.  We will continue to communicate directly with the Russian government.  And we will continue to keep all of you in the press corps and the American people informed as events develop. "

Lets Get Real:

The above is a modern Munich 1938, THE US is going to allow Putin's Russia to either create a Eastern Ukraine under Moscow rule or it is going to retake the Eastern part of the Ukraine back in to Russia.  Lets be VERY clear here, no one is suggesting taking military action, that is not the point, it is the weakness of the above statement, what if Putin one day takes it in to his mind that Poland should be in the Russian backyard, or other former Warsaw Pact Countries can  be taken over even if they are in NATO, the West can not trust the Oval under Obama, the next three years are going to be rough, the EU and NATO will have to toughen up in case it has to carry the ball of leadership due to the weakness of President Obama.   If Hillary Clinton is the next President of the US, one can expect a tougher reaction, the one thing about Hillary  is she no roll over, she might be weak when it comes to Bill, but she is tough when it comes to international politics, the US and the West needs a tough leader after Obama. 

Russian Provocation of Ukraine - Ukraine Latest

BBC News - Ukraine Live: Reports the following in its 8.20pm post, " More from interim President Turchynov: "I personally appeal to President Putin to immediately stop military provocation and to withdraw from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea... It's a naked aggression against Ukraine," he was reported by AFP to have told reporters. ".

Lets Get Real:

It seems the Kremlin is trying to push the Kiev Government to take some kind of action then it can send in extra troops on top of the troops that have taken the local Parliament, Airports, Cost Guard Base and the local Crimean TV Station in the East Ukraine.    Lets be very clear here, one can argue that the Crimea is part of the real Russia, its a political accident of the 1950s that Crimea was given to the Ukraine, the Kiev Government should cut it losses, decide to recall its name as  West Ukraine, push the EU to grant it membership access due to the problems in the West.   The US/EU/IMF should fund  West Ukraine, the US and the West is not going to War over the Crimea, its not worth it, if the East wants to be under Putin let them learn the negatives in their own time, not on the dime of the West.   100 years since 1914, lets not make that mistake again.