Obama Says No To US Military Response To Russia

Military confrontation between Russia and the U.S. over Ukraine is not forthcoming, but the U.S. will mobilize the international community to apply pressure on Russia, U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday.



"It is not in the cards for us to see a military confrontation between Russia and the United States in this region," he said during a White House press conference.



Obama said that Russia has violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine as Russian forces have been pictured inside Ukraine. 



He noted that Ukraine is not a NATO member, but there are several NATO member states close to Ukraine that are facing a Russian threat. 



He assured NATO members in the region that the U.S. would take its commitment to the organization's Article V, which requires military action against any aggression toward a member state.



"Part of the reason I'll be going to Estonia is to let the Estonians know that we mean what we say with respect to our treaty obligations. We don't have those treaty obligations with Ukraine," Obama said. The president is schedule to visit Estonia next week. 



Obama also added that a NATO meeting to be held in the UK on Sept. 4-5 would refocus attention to making sure that members are contributing in order to deliver on the promise of Article V assurances. 



www.aa.com.tr/en - Washington DC