Obama Warns Russia Against Crimea Incursion

US President Barack Obama signaled his administration’s alarm Friday at indications of military movements by Russian troops inside Ukraine’s region of Crimea and warned Moscow that there would be costs for any armed intervention.

International media earlier in the day reported Russian troops entering Crimea, and soldiers identified as being with the Russian armed forces stationed on the peninsula blockaded at least one airport, which nonetheless appeared to still be operating.
Obama said he was “deeply concerned” by reports of Russian troop movements inside Crimea.

“Russia has a historic relationship with Ukraine, including cultural and economic ties, and a military facility in Crimea,” Obama told reporters in Washington. “But any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of Ukraine, Russia, or Europe.”

Obama said the United States would stand with the international community “in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.”

Moscow’s envoy to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said Friday that Russia was operating in Crimea within the terms of a lease agreement for its Black Sea Fleet.