First we had the phony vote in Crimea in which 97% of the "voters" opted for Crimea to join Russia instead of Ukraine. That happened even though about a quarter of the Crimeans are ethnic Ukrainians and even though polls taken the week before the Russian invasion showed a majority of Crimeans favored staying as part of Ukraine. In response, president Obama took the "stern" measure of freezing the assets of twelve Russian officials (after giving them a week's warning so that they had ample time to remove any assets that might be affected.)
Now, the Russians have taken the next step. President Putin has officially recognized the split between Ukraine and Crimea and announced that Crimea is now considered a separate country from Ukraine. Further, the steps necessary to join Russia and Crimea have been commenced.
What can Obama do about that? This morning brings the news. Obama met for hours with his team composed of vice president Biden, secretaries Kerry and Hagel and Susan Rice the National Security Adviser. Moments ago, Obama announced that in response to this new Russian outrage, America is going to pick seven Russians at random and bar them and their children and grandchildren from visiting Disneyworld in Florida for ten years. Obama further announced that in order to keep the sanctions "proportional" these seven Russians and their families will still be able to visit Disneyland in California, but the Disney properties in Orlando will be closed to them.
No word yet on how Putin will respond.
Now, the Russians have taken the next step. President Putin has officially recognized the split between Ukraine and Crimea and announced that Crimea is now considered a separate country from Ukraine. Further, the steps necessary to join Russia and Crimea have been commenced.
What can Obama do about that? This morning brings the news. Obama met for hours with his team composed of vice president Biden, secretaries Kerry and Hagel and Susan Rice the National Security Adviser. Moments ago, Obama announced that in response to this new Russian outrage, America is going to pick seven Russians at random and bar them and their children and grandchildren from visiting Disneyworld in Florida for ten years. Obama further announced that in order to keep the sanctions "proportional" these seven Russians and their families will still be able to visit Disneyland in California, but the Disney properties in Orlando will be closed to them.
No word yet on how Putin will respond.
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