Obama: Russia violating international law in Ukraine

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says Russia is “on the wrong side of history” in Ukraine and its actions violate international law.

Obama told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday that the United States is considering economic and diplomatic options that will isolate Russia. The president called on Congress to work on an aid package to Ukraine and make it the “first order of business.”

Obama said continued military actions in Ukraine “will be a costly proposition for Russia.”

But Sen. Harry Reid, the majority leader, was cautioning against rash action. In an interview with Politico, Reid said response to the Russian incursion should be deliberate.

“The most important thing is for us – the United States – to make sure that we don’t go off without the European community,” Reid to Politico on Monday. “We have to work with them. Their interests are really paramount if we are going to do sanctions of some kind. We have to have them on board with us.”

Associated Press and staff reports

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