Obama says he will not accept a referendum on Crimea's status as part of Ukraine. Obama: Crimea vote would break law

President Barack Obama said Thursday that the United States would not accept any referendum on the status of Crimea unless passed with the approval of the interim government in Kiev.

Doing otherwise, Obama said in a statement at the White House, would “violate the Ukrainian constitution and international law.”


“In 2014, we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders,” Obama said.

( See POLITICO's full coverage of Ukraine)

The referendum is seen as a possible way for Russian President Vladimir Putin to exert his control over the region.

Obama’s remarks came before the House passed legislation Thursday afternoon to provide loan guarantees to the new Ukrainian government. The White House has already pledged $1 billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine.

Obama also spoke to the new executive order on sanctions and visa restrictions for those found to be causing or profiting from the crisis, saying that these were the fulfillment of the threat he made last week at the White House, warning Putin not to move troops in—which was ignored.

“These decisions continue our effort to impose a cost on Russia and those responsible for the situation in Crimea,” Obama said. “We took these steps in close coordination with our allies.”

( PHOTOS: 20 great quotes on Putin and Obama)

Asked if Putin would a target of sanctions, White House press secretary Jay Carney avoided the question, instead saying that “no Russian entities or individuals” are blocked in the executive order. Rather, all that’s been done so far is that “the broad authority has been granted” for sanctions to be implemented.

The executive order “does not name individuals or entities” and those determinations have “not happened as of yet,” Carney said.

Putin is “getting the message” from U.S. actions and conversations that he and others in his government have had with American and European officials, Carney said. “I don’t have any doubt that President Putin is very clear about our position.”

Obama also stressed that there is still a way for Putin to end the crisis, something Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated minutes later during a separate appearance in Rome.

( PHOTOS: Ukraine turmoil)

“The choices that Russia has made escalated this situation and we believe that Russia has the opportunity now, together with the rest of us, to make the right choices in order to deescalate,” Kerry said.

“Crimea is part of Ukraine. Crimea is Ukraine,” Kerry said.

He added that the hopes for a fast and clear ending to the crisis was why the sanctions actions taken Thursday morning were authorization, but so far not directed at any individuals or entities.

“There’s a reason why only the legal framework was put in place and not the specific designees,” Kerry said. “We want to be able to have the dialogue that leads to the de-escalation, we want to continue the intense discussions with both sides in order to normalize and end this crisis.”