Obama Says Allies in ‘Lockstep’ on Confronting Russia

Source: Bloomberg

By Margaret Talev and Julianna Goldman Jun 5, 2014 10:19 AM ET

President Barack Obama said the U.S. and its allies are in “lockstep” agreement on keeping up pressure on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine and the threat of broader economic sanctions hasn’t receded.

Obama, at a news conference in Brussels with U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, also said the tensions with Russia highlight the need for the U.S. to work with European nations on energy security, so that Russia isn’t able to use its vast oil and gas reserves as a weapon.

Ukraine and energy “dominated our discussion over the last two days,” Obama said.

Obama and Cameron held a separate meeting today following last night’s discussion among the Group of Seven leaders about Ukraine and the need to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate the crisis.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-05/obama-says-allies-in-lockstep-on-confronting-russia.html

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Obama Says Putin Running Out of Time Over Ukraine

By Margaret Talev, James G. Neuger and Kateryna Choursina Jun 5, 2014 11:52 AM ET

Vladimir Putin has just weeks to stop supporting a pro-Russian insurgency in Ukraine or face stiffer penalties, U.S. President Barack Obama and U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron said.

“The G-7 nations are ready to impose additional costs on Russia” if Putin doesn’t take concrete steps to help end the rebellion in Ukraine, Obama told reporters after talks with Cameron today in Brussels. “We will have a chance to see what Mr. Putin does over the next two, three, four weeks.”

Those steps include completing a pullback of troops from the border and working constructively with President-elect Petro Poroshenko, Cameron said. Group of Seven leaders met for the second time since expelling Russia from what had been the G-8 over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March.

“Russia’s actions are completely unacceptable and totally at odds with this group of democracies,” Cameron said, adding that it’s “vital” Putin reverses course in the next few weeks. “The status quo is unacceptable,” Cameron said. “The destabilization of Ukraine must stop.”

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-04/g-7-spares-russia-new-sanctions-urging-ukraine-diplomacy.html