Obama Threatens Putin: U.S. ‘Will Isolate’ Russia If They Don’t Withdraw From Ukraine

On Monday, President Obama threatens Putin stating that Russia is “on the wrong side of history” on Ukraine, and that the U.S. and its allies are examining steps to “isolate” the country. Western leaders are pathetically scrambling to convince Vladimir Putin to stand down.

Obama, just prior to a meeting in Washington with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the world largely is in agreement that Russia is “in violation of international law.”

He said Moscow’s actions are deeply troubling, and said this would be a “costly proposition” for Russia if it continues down this path.

“We are examining a whole series of steps — economic, diplomatic — that will isolate Russia,” Obama said.

However, the president left the military option off of the table in hs statement, leaving Sec of State John Kerry all alone on that option. Kerry said Sunday that “all options are on the table.” In a separate interview the same morning, though, Kerry stressed that a military response is “the last thing anybody wants.”

On “Fox News Sunday” with Chris Wallace, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI), said that prior mistakes have put the U.S. in a precarious situation. However, now that we are where we are, a military option is not a viable option considering President Obama’s propensity to issue empty threats.

Meanwhile, Russian troops have seized border checkpoints in the Crimea, and as far as U.S. officials previously told PeoplesPunditDaily.com, Russia is in control of the region.

“There is no question,” the official continued, “that they are in an occupation position in Crimea, that they are flying in reinforcements, and they are settling in.”

“There is not a lot of options on the table. And candidly — and I’m a fairly hawkish guy — sending more naval forces to operate in the Black Sea is not a good idea.,” adding that if we were to send a naval force we’d “better be prepared” to use it.

Earlier, Putin issued a deadline for 5 AM local time for 2 Ukrainian warships in the disputed Crimea Peninsula to surrender or face “a real assault,” but Putin has since backed off of that ultimatum.