Obama warns Putin of 'additional costs' for Russia's actions
March 17, 2014  15:35
US President Barack Obama has warned Vladimir Putin that the international community will never recognise the Crimea referendum to secede from Ukraine and the West is prepared to impose "additional costs" on Russia for its actions.

Obama, in a telephonic conversation with Putin yesterday after the people of Crimea -- a province of Ukraine -- overwhelmingly voted to merge with Russia, said the Crimea "referendum" not only violated the Ukrainian constitution but it also occurred under duress of the Russian military.

"He emphasised that Russia's actions were in violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and that, in coordination with our European partners, we are prepared to impose additional costs on Russia for its actions," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.

The final results of the referendum in Crimea showed that 97 per cent of voters supported leaving Ukraine to join Russia.
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