WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has expressed serious concern over Russian intentions in Ukraine and warned that military intervention would further inflame tension.
“We are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside Ukraine,” Obama said in brief comments at the White House.
“It would be a clear violation of Russia’s commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine and of international laws,” Obama said.
“Any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of Ukraine, Russia or Europe,” the US president further said.
On Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed it moved troops already based in Ukraine’s Crimea region to protect its naval fleet, saying the movements comply with Russian-Ukrainian agreements.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the Ukrainian government had been informed about the movements.
