Showdown? U.S. Putin over Ukraine, Crimea, Black Sea Deployments

13 April: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba

We are seriously concerned by ongoing developments.

And NATO is monitoring the situation very closely.

In recent weeks, Russia has moved thousands of combat-ready troops to Ukraine’s borders.

The largest massing of Russian troops since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Over the last days, several Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in eastern Ukraine. 

Russia’s considerable military build-up is unjustified, unexplained, and deeply concerning. Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine. Stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately. 

We regret Russia’s decision not to participate in the recent meeting at the OSCE to dispel concerns about its unusual military activities. 

NATO’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.

We do not, and will not recognise Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea.

We continue to call on Russia to end its support for the militants in eastern Ukraine and withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory. 

We are helping to strengthen capabilities, including with training for the Ukrainian armed forces.

Allies also participate in joint exercises. We have stepped up our cooperation in the Black Sea region with more exercises and port visits.

And we support Ukraine’s wide-ranging reform agenda, which will make Ukraine more resilient.

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO UKRAINE

    On March 6, 2014, by Executive Order 13660, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of persons that undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine; threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and contribute to the misappropriation of its assets. 

    On March 16, 2014, the President issued Executive Order 13661, which expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660, and found that the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation with respect to Ukraine undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine; threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and contribute to the misappropriation of its assets. 

    On March 20, 2014, the President issued Executive Order 13662, which further expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660, as expanded in scope in Executive Order 13661, and found that the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation, including its purported annexation of Crimea and its use of force in Ukraine, continue to undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine; threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and contribute to the misappropriation of its assets.

    On December 19, 2014, the President issued Executive Order 13685, to take additional steps to address the Russian occupation of the Crimea region of Ukraine.

    On September 20, 2018, the President issued Executive Order 13849, to take additional steps to implement certain statutory sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation. 

    The actions and policies addressed in these Executive Orders continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared on March 6, 2014, and the measures adopted on that date, on March 16, 2014, on March 20, 2014, on December 19, 2014, and on September 20, 2018, to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond March 6, 2021.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660.