Russia, U.S. Still Far Apart On Ukraine, Says Putin
Source: REUTERS
(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said Russia and the United States still stood far apart over Ukraine, but the two countries should not sacrifice relations over a disagreement on an individual, albeit very important, international problem.
In a statement issued by the Kremlin on Friday, the Russian leader told U.S. President Barack Obama in a telephone call on Thursday that Ukraine's new leaders, who had come to power in an anti-constitutional coup, had imposed "absolutely illegitimate decisions on the eastern, southeastern and Crimea regions".
On Thursday, parliament in Ukraine's southern Crimea region voted to join Russia and hold a referendum on becoming part of the Russian federation on March 16, moves which pro-Western leaders in Kiev said would violate international law.
"Russia cannot ignore calls for help in this matter and it acts accordingly, in full compliance with the international law," Putin said.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/07/ukraine-crisis-putin-obama-idUSL6N0M404Q20140307
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