Obama discusses Ukraine with leaders of Britain, Italy, France, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia

3/8/2014

KEY LARGO, Fla. — The White House says President Barack Obama is continuing his telephone outreach on Ukraine during his Florida vacation.

The president spoke individually Saturday with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and French President Francois Hollande.

Obama also held a conference call with the presidents of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The White House says details will be released later Saturday.

Russian forces invaded the strategic Crimea peninsula of Ukraine a week ago, a move that the U.S. and its allies say violated international law.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has the right to protect Russian interests in Crimea.

The regional parliament in Crimea has set a March 16 vote on leaving Ukraine to join Russia. Obama says such a vote would violate international law.