|
 Obama, meeting Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny in the Oval Office,
reiterated to reporters that there would be consequences should
Russia refuse to loosen its grip on the Crimea region of southern
Russia.
Crimea's pro-Russia parliament has scheduled a referendum on Sunday
to decide whether the region should be annexed by Russia.
"We continue to hope that there is a diplomatic solution to be
found," Obama said.
"But the United States and Europe stands united, not only in its
message about the Ukrainian sovereignty but also that there will be
consequences if, in fact, that sovereignty continues to be
violated," he said.
Obama's comments came as his secretary of state, John Kerry, met in
London with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Speaking after
several hours of talks, Lavrov said there was still no common vision
with the West over Ukraine but Russia has no plans to invade
southeastern Ukraine.
(Reporting by Steve Holland; editing by Doina Chiacu)
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