President Obama spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone on Thursday to urge him to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the situation in Ukraine.
Obama told Putin that he has violated Ukraine’s sovereignty, which led the U.S. to take certain actions against Russia, such as visa restrictions, according to the White House.
Obama offered Putin a diplomatic path to end the crisis in Ukraine.
“As a part of that resolution, the governments of Ukraine and Russia would hold direct talks, facilitated by the international community; international monitors could ensure that the rights of all Ukrainians are protected, including ethnic Russians; Russian forces would return to their bases; and the international community would work together to support the Ukrainian people as they prepare for elections in May,” the White House statement reads.
