U.S. Demands Putin Pull Back from Ukraine; Security Council Meets

The United States demanded Russia pull back its military forces to bases in Crimea on Saturday, and reverse the military invasion of Ukraine that has caused global condemnation.

President Barack Obama, in a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, warned that Russia faced global “isolation” because of the invasion. Obama told Putin that there are international channels by which Putin should raise his concerns about Ukrainian citizens, ones in which Russia can participate and the United States stands willing to help.

“The United States calls on Russia to de-escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces back to bases in Crimea and to refrain from any interference elsewhere in Ukraine,” said a White House statement released Saturday afternoon. “Going forward, Russia’s continued violation of international law will lead to greater political and economic isolation.”

“President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law,” according the statement. The National Security Council said the U.S. would cease all preparations for the upcoming G-8 meeting.

As Obama phoned other world leaders to log support against Putin, the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Saturday over the crisis. U.N. Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon was “gravely concerned” over the invasion, his spokesman said in a statement. “The Secretary General reiterates his call for the full respect for and preservation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

“Actions speak louder than words,” said Samantha Power, U.S. ambassdor to the U.N., in her statement to the council. “It is time for the Russian intervention in Ukraine to end. The Russian military must stand down, the aspirations of the Ukrainian people must be respected, and political dialogue must be allowed to continue.”

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu earlier in the day. “Secretary Hagel expressed deep concern about Russia's military intervention in Ukraine,” Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement provided to reporters. “He reminded Minister Shoygu that these activities ran counter to Russia's international treaty obligations and stated position that it would respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

"Secretary Hagel stressed that, without a change on the ground, Russia risks further instability in the region, isolation in the international community and an escalation that would threaten European and international security," Kirby said.

While Ukrainian leaders called for international assistance against the Russian invasion, national security leaders in Congress condemned Putin fiercely and prodded Obama to act quickly.

“Vladamir Putin's imperialist aspirations are a throwback to the last century. He's violated the freedom of all Ukrainians, while betraying the Russian people,” said Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, in a statement. “We should do everything practical to help Ukraine turn back these invaders.”

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “Yesterday, President Obama said that Russia would face ‘costs’ if it intervened militarily in Ukraine. It is now essential for the president to articulate exactly what those costs will be and to take steps urgently to impose them.”

“None of us should be under any illusion about what President Putin is capable of doing in Ukraine… Every moment that the United States and our allies fail to respond sends the signal to President Putin that he can be even more ambitious and aggressive in his military intervention in Ukraine,” he said.

This story has been updated to reflect ongoing events.