OWNED BY PARROT01

Good afternoon,everybody.

Over the lastseveral days, the United States has been responding to events as they unfold inUkraine. Throughout this crisis, we have been very clear about onefundamental principle: The Ukrainian people deserve the opportunity todetermine their own future. Together with our European allies, we haveurged an end to the violence and encouraged Ukrainians to pursue a course inwhich they stabilize their country, forge a broad-based government and move toelections this spring.

I also spokeseveral days ago with President Putin, and my administration has been in dailycommunication with Russian officials, and we’ve made clear that they can bepart of an international community’s effort to support the stability andsuccess of a united Ukraine going forward, which is not only in the interest ofThe people of Ukraine and the international community, but also in Russia’sinterest.

However, we arenow deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the RussianFederation inside of Ukraine. Russia has a historic relationship withUkraine, including cultural and economic ties, and a military facility inCrimea, but any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integritywould be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of Ukraine, Russia,or Europe.

It would representa profound interference in matters that must be determined by the Ukrainianpeople. It would be a clear violation of Russia’s commitment to respectthe independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine, and of internationallaws. And just days after the world came to Russia for the Olympic Games,it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world. And indeed,the United States will stand with the international community in affirming thatthere will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.

The events of thepast several months remind us of how difficult democracy can be in a countrywith deep divisions. But the Ukrainian people have also reminded us thathuman beings have a universal right to determine their own future.

Right now, thesituation remains very fluid. Vice President Biden just spoke with PrimeMinister – the Prime Minister of Ukraine to assure him that in this difficultmoment the United States supports his government’s efforts and stands for thesovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic future of Ukraine. Ialso commend the Ukrainian government’s restraint and its commitment to upholdits international obligations.

We will continueto coordinate closely with our European allies. We will continue tocommunicate directly with the Russian government. And we will continue tokeep all of you in the press corps and the American people informed as eventsdevelop.

Thanks very much.

NSDA“SDcamps”全国英语演讲与辩论大赛（大学组）/SDcamps全国中小学生英语演讲与辩论大会（中小学及幼儿组）/美式辩论赛（以下简称大赛/大会）现诚招全国省市合作伙伴或城市合伙人，共同进行推广NSDA赛事品牌、举办赛事及培训活动、开展素质教育、美式营地项目等多方面合作。

我们希望认同NSDA理念，有赛事组织经验，或有教育资源，特别是有理想有热情的机构或个人一起携手，共同推广NSDA品牌、赛事及素质教育。以机构的形式，或以城市合伙人的方式均可。具体的赛事组织、盈利模式，欢迎电话或微信咨询。

微信：0012133598196

详情查看：NSDA（全美演讲与辩论联盟）赛事活动诚招全国各城市合作伙伴