President Barack Obama delivered a statement about Ukraine from the White House on Thursday, condemning the possibility that international law would be violated in Crimea. Earlier in the day, it was announced the European Union suspended talks on some of the agreements with Russia over the Ukraine crisis, and threatened further sanctions.
"We have been mobilizing the international community to condemn this violation of international law" —Obama on the situation in #Ukraine
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) March 6, 2014
Lawmakers in Crimea proposed a referendum to be held later this month on whether the region should become a part of Russia. President Obama said this move would violate the Ukrainian constitution and international law.
The United States also imposed its own restrictions on certain Russians, and cleared the way for more sanctions. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking publicly in Rome, Italy, said more steps may be taken.
President Obama left White House Press Secretary Jay Carney to answer reporters' questions.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.