In an eight-minute speech Monday morning, Pres. Obama spoke about the situation in Ukraine, as well as the situation in Israel.
Sec. of State John Kerry has departed for the Middle East, with the president saying that “Israel has a right to defend itself” and also expressing concern for “Palestinian civilian deaths and the loss of Israeli lives.” Sec. Kerry will work with leaders to try to negotiate a “push to immediate cessation of hostilities.”
In regards to the crash site of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17, Obama stated that the international community is in?”a state of shock and also, frankly, a state of outrage.” He insisted that Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin has a “direct responsibility” to use his “extraordinary influence” over the Russian separatists to allow “immediate and full access” to the crash site in eastern Ukraine.
“Separatists are removing evidence from the crash site,” Obama said. “Which begs the question: What exactly are they trying to hide? The burden now is on Russia to insist that the separatists stop tampering with the evidence.”
[…]
“President Putin has a direct responsibility to compel them to cooperate with the investigation,” Obama said. “The world deserves to know exactly what happened.”
The president says that the actions that are going on at the crash site — which include separatists unlawfully removing the bodies of those killed on the flight — are “an insult to those who have lost loved ones.”
He noted that while Putin has said that he supports a full international investigation, the Russian president needs to act on those sentiments.
“I appreciate those words, but they have to be supported by actions.”
Non-compliance will have undesirable results for Russia. Pres. Obama said:
“The costs for Russia’s behavior will only continue to increase.”
The president continued and said that?recovering the remains of those who have been lost is “the least we can do, the least that humanity demands.”
Watch the official White House video below. The president enters at 15:20. Let us know your thoughts at the Liberal America Facebook page.
* Some people are reporting that they can’t see the video because it’s set to private. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcLdTspz9wQ
Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
