Crisis In the Ukraine -- News Updates March12, 2014

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Obama: 'We Will Stand With Ukraine' -- Voice of America

President Barack Obama said Wednesday that the U.S. and its allies would be forced to apply a cost to Russia if it presses ahead with a referendum to annex Crimea. His comments came in a White House meeting with Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. With the prime minister sitting beside him Obama said "We will stand with Ukraine."

This was Obama's first meeting with Yatsenyuk and was meant to underscore U.S. support for the new government and the Ukrainian people.

As part of the talks, Obama and Yatsenyuk discussed financial assistance for Ukraine. The U.S. has already pledged $1 billion in aid.

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More News On The Crisis In Ukraine

Ukraine's PM visits U.S. as Crimea heads for vote on joining Russia -- CNN
Obama calls for a ‘rethinking’ on Crimea vote -- Washington Post/AP
Obama warns Russia that U.S., allies will ‘apply a cost’ if it takes over Crimea -- Washington Post
Obama says Russia faces costs over Ukraine intervention -- Reuters

G7 warns Russia on 'annexing' Crimea -- BBC
World powers warn Russia against Crimea 'annexation' -- Global Post/AFP
G7 Leaders Won't Recognize Outcome Of Crimea Referendum -- RTT
Russia prepping for ‘full-scale invasion,’ Ukraine says as G7 warns ‘annexation of Crimea’ breaks international pacts -- National Post/AP

OSCE team say Crimea roadblock gunmen threatened to shoot at them -- Reuters
Globe in Crimea: Masked gunmen board train, demand papers. No one questions. No one disobeys -- Globe and Mail
Russia closing door on Crimea as troops build up -- Sydney Morning Herald
Pro-unity voices in east Ukraine struggle to be heard -- AFP
Crimean parliament offers two options on referendum voting slips: Join Russia now, or join later -- Daily Mail

EU Approves Framework, Wording for Russia Sanctions -- Voice of America
EU moves towards travel bans, asset freezes for Russians -- Reuters
US Congress Pushes for Expelling Russia From G8 and Imposing Sanctions -- RIA Novosti
US bill proposes tough sanctions on Russia -- News24
Europe looks to cut Russian gas imports amid Ukraine crisis -- Christian Science Monitor

Kerry Plans 11th-Hour Meeting With Russians Over Crimea -- New York Times
Kerry says to meet Russia's Lavrov in London on Ukraine -- Reuters
Kerry to meet with Russian counterpart, in bid to calm crisis ahead of Crimea vote -- FOX News
Kerry: Sanctions Against Russia Could 'Get Ugly Fast' -- Wall Street Journal
Ukraine: Things go from bad to worse -- Voice of America
France threatens to drop ministerial meeting with Russia -- Reuters
On Ukraine, Merkel Finds Limits of Her Rapport With Putin -- New York Times
Kremlin says Putin and Hollande discuss boosting efforts on Ukraine -- Reuters
Ex-Envoy 'Not Very Optimistic' on Russian Pullback in Crimea -- NBC

OSCE Chairman, Putin Discuss Ways to Defuse Ukraine Situation - OSCE -- WSJ
Russia's Putin discusses Ukraine with OSCE -- Reuters
Crimean Tatar Leader Tells Putin Secession Would Break Post-Soviet Pact -- Voice of America
Russia's Putin discusses Crimea with Crimean Tatar -- Reuters
Putin’s Approval Rating Rises Amid Crimean Secession Debate -- RIA Novosti
Russian cultural stars back Putin on Crimea -- AFP

Decision to stop Russian TV channels broadcasting in Ukraine violation of human rights - State Duma -- Voice of Russia
Over 170 Still in Hospital After Kiev Unrest -- RIA Novosti
Moscow wants EU probe into Maidan gun crimes & Ukraine’s post-coup govt -- RT