-- Karl Wolff III, Associate Director, NSP. Heil Hiter!
ukraine crisis
Russian Planes, Helicopters, Troops Enter Crimea
Russian
transport planes and helicopters flew into Crimea on Friday, and a
warship blocked Ukrainian coast guard vessels, raising new concerns
about military intervention by Moscow.
Armored
personnel carriers were seen on the roads and troops secured the main
military airport, where more Russians were flying into the autonomous
region in southern Ukraine.
Ukraine's
U.N. ambassador denounced the border crossing as illegal but said the
country, just days after a power shift that ousted Russian-friendly
president Viktor Yanukovych, could handle the display of military might.
"We
are strong enough to defend ourselves,'' Ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev told
reporters after briefing the U.N. Security Council in a closed-door
session.
Earlier, President Barack Obama warned that “there will be costs to any military intervention in Ukraine,”
At
the U.N., Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin insisted the movements were
"within the framework" of Moscow's pre-existing agreement with Ukraine
on military presence in the former Soviet republic.
House
Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said it appeared to him
that the Russian military now controls the Crimean peninsula.
"This aggression is a
threat not only to Ukraine, but to regional peace and stability," Rogers
said. "Russia's latest action is yet another indicator that Vladimir
Putin's hegemonic ambitions threaten U.S. interests and allies around
the world."
Reuters contributed to this report.
Obama to Russia: 'There Will Be Costs' for Ukraine Intervention
President
Barack Obama said Friday that “there will be costs to any military
intervention in Ukraine,” after Russian military forces reportedly
entered that country’s Crimea region.
“Any
violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be
deeply destabilizing,” Obama said at the White House, saying the United
States is “deeply concerned” about the reports of the Russian presence
there.
“The Ukrainian people
deserve the opportunity to determine their own future,” he said, adding
that interference would be "a clear violation of Russia's commitment to
respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine and
international laws."
U.S.
officials told NBC News that the costs could include a boycott of a G-8
meeting that Russia is to host and costs to Russia's economy.
U.S. officials confirm
to NBC News that uniformed Russian forces are still entering Simferopol
in Ukraine’s Crimea region. While not able to confirm the numbers used
by Ukraine officials -- 2,000 or more -- the officials say they have no
reason to doubt the basic information that there are Russians arriving
on Russian aircraft.
A U.S.
official said that Obama would not have issued the warning if U.S.
intelligence wasn't sure Russian forces have moved into Ukraine. But the
official said Obama didn't want to be more specific to allow Russian
President Vladimir Putin room to back down.
The Obama administration has repeatedly warned Russia not to inflame tensions in Ukraine by intervening in the volatile country.
Obama’s remarks come
after deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych pledged to “keep
fighting” the new leaders of the country. Yanukovych, who has resurfaced
in Russia, blamed the West for “irresponsible policies” and “pandering
to” to protesters who occupied Kiev.
House
Speaker John Boehner said in a statement, "Both the administration and
the European Union have a responsibility to work together to maximize
the economic and political pressure on Russia to withdraw its troops."
Republican
Majority Leader Eric Cantor said in a statement that there should be
"sanctions against Russian individuals and entities who use force or
interfere in Ukraine's domestic affairs."
— Carrie Dann, Andrea Mitchell, Chuck Todd and Robert Windrem
