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Obama consults German Chancellor Merkel on Ukraine crisis

U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by telephone on Tuesday concerning "Russia's violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity" through the annexation of Crimea.

By JC Finley
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel depart from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on June 19, 2013. (UPI/David Silpa)
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel depart from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on June 19, 2013. (UPI/David Silpa) | License Photo

U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Tuesday morning regarding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

According to the White House, the two leaders discussed "Russia's violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity."

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Both Obama and Merkel condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region, noting that Russia's violation of international law would incur "costs." At the same time, the president and chancellor agreed to continue to urge Putin to embrace a diplomatic resolution to the crisis "that addresses the interests of both Russia and the people of Ukraine."

International observers from both the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations must be dispatched to southern and eastern Ukraine "immediately," they agreed.

Obama and Merkel plan to continue their close coordination, said the White House, especially "to support Ukraine as it works to stabilize its economy and prepare for elections in May." That close coordination will build also support multilateral efforts that include the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.

[White House]

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