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Obama Accuses Putin Of Wrecking Russia's Economy For 'Glory'

June 08, 2015

U.S. President Barack Obama accused President Vladimir Putin June 8 of wrecking Russia's economy in a doomed drive to recreate the glories of the Soviet empire.

In some of the strongest rhetoric to come out of the Group of Seven summit, Obama told a news conference in Bavaria, Germany that the Russian people were suffering severely because of Putin, who was not present with other world leaders because he was ousted from the exclusive club of economic powers after Russia's takeover of Crimea last year.

'As we've seen again in recent days, Russian forces continue to operate in eastern Ukraine, violating Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity,' Obama said.

'Russia is in deep recession. So Russia's actions in Ukraine are hurting Russia and hurting the Russian people,' he said.

'Ultimately this is going to be an issue for Mr Putin. He's got to make a decision,' Obama said of his Russian counterpart.

'Does he continue to wreck his country's economy and continue Russia's isolation in pursuit of a wrong-headed desire to recreate the glories of the Soviet empire, or does he recognise that Russia's greatness does not depend on violating the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other countries.'

More sanctions will be the consequence if Putin chooses to continue his current course, Obama said.

'If Russia, working through separatists, doubles down on aggression inside of Ukraine,' then the United States and European Union will increase their sanctions, he said.

A communique issued by the G-7 said that the broad economic sanctions already in place will continue until the Minsk ceasefire accords signed between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels are fully implemented.

'We expect Russia to stop trans-border support of separatist forces and to use its considerable influence over the separatists,' the declaration said.

The Kremlin did not directly answer Obama's accusations, but played down Putin's absence from the summit, saying he preferred 'other formats' that were more effective and better reflected the balance of global economic power.

'It's impossible now to get together in seven or eight people and effectively discuss global problems,' RIA news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.

Based on reporting by Reuters, dpa, and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-obama-putin-wrecks-economy/27061404.html

Copyright (c) 2015. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.