the prime minister of ukraine, in this difficult moment, the united states supports his government's s. and stands for this sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic future of ukraine. >> that was the president making his statement on ukraine that took place 20 minutes ago or so. you heard us talk to the general, he thought that was act one of a three-act play at this point. >> general clark has dealt with situations not exactly like this, but certainly similar over the years, he knows what the playbook options are for all of the different players here, but i think the most interesting thing that the president said here in his remarks was that will be costs to a russian intervention militarily in ukraine, what he didn't say is what those costs would be. you could look at that the white house here being a little bit deliberately vague. the white house doing here to say there will be cost but not pinning those down, giving the administration the maximum amount of maneuverability. going into a difficult weekend and a difficult period of time in the ukraine, as the united states d

clear that they can be part of an international community's effort to support the success of a united ukraine going forward, which is not only in the interest of the people of the ukraine and the international community but also in russia's interests. and military movements taken by the russian federation inside of the ukraine. russia has an historic relationship with ukraine, including a military facility in crimea. but any violation of the sovereignty would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of ukraine, russia, or europe. it would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the ukrainian people. it would be a violation of russia's commitment to respect the sovereignty and borders of ukraine and of international laws. days after the world came to russia for the olympic games that would invite the condemnation of nations around the world and the united states will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in ukraine. the events over the past several months remind us of the divisions

can be part of an international community's effort to support the stability and success of an united ukraine going forward. which is not only in the interest of people of ukraine and the international community but also in russia's interests. however, we are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the russian federation inside of ukraine. russia has a history relationship with ukraine, including cultural and economic ties and a facility in crimea. but any violation of ukraine's sovereignty and territory integrity would be deeply unstabilizing which is not in the best interest of ukraine, russia or europe. it would represent a profound interference in matters of the ukrainian people. it would be the respect of independence and borders of ukraine and of international laws. just days after the world came to russia for the olympic games, it would invite the condem condn of nations around the world, and we will stand with the international community confirming ther there will be cs of military intervention in ukraine. the events in the last several months remind us of how d

obama spoke after ukraine's united nations ambassador confirmed earlier reports that folks with russian ties were involved in seizing the airports and a couple of biddings in ukraine. he called them russian groupies. it is still unclear whether they are actually russian soldiers though few people doubt they are anything but. they're not in russian uniform. the president said that the u.s., said that russia would face costs. there will be costs in his words for any military intervention but as you note, he did not point out what those costs might be. it is not really thought likely that the president would threaten any kind of military response here. nato made no plans for any military response. there is unlikely to be one between the two strongest nations in the world arguably, if you want to exclude china from the top two. the president did however say that russia has international obligations that it must and he called for ukraine's sovereignty to be respected and will of the people in ukraine to be respected. the problem here is that where this is going on, crimea, is an area, largel

then there's a possibility you could have a united ukraine that is prosperous in part of the european theater to be sure but also has great relations with russia. russia is going to continue to play a role here. we have to be sensitive to the russian needs as well. >> let's talk about the tug of war between russia and the united states. president obama spoke to putin on the phone last friday and the white house said the call was quite surprisingly productive. is that spin or could this be a point where russia and the united states could work together? >> well, this is certainly a problem for russia and europe to -- i think everybody has an interest in seeing this evolve in a peaceful -- in a peaceful way. we have an interest in maintaining a working relationship with the russians. remember, we've had our differences and they become pronounced because of snowsnowd worked with them on afghanistan and iran and have the new start treaty and there are places in which we can do business with the russians. it behoofs us to work closely with them ensuring at the same time the integrity of the

problem and what i think washington's interests ought to be and they ought to be a stable and united ukraine, at peace with itself, and not trapped in an either/or proposition between russia and europe. there's no reason why ukraine must choose. ukraine's an economic basket case. as putin hems said, let both sides, russia and europe help ukraine. but things may be out of control. this may be something of a revolutionary situation. nothing written on paper holds to that evening. >> finally, turning to something else, sort of in the news about russia. considering the olympics are ending now, and there are concerns putin will crack down harder on his dissidents, because the media spotlight will be away. we saw the band, pussy riot stage a protest in sochi, beaten horribly and writing in op-eds in the "new york times" saying, look, next week it's going to get worse. >> look. putin isn't going to crack down inside russia because the olympics are over. one of the bad things that's happened in ukraine is a democratically elected government has been overthrown and forces sponsored by the web are com

ukraine? very close contact. >> good afternoon, everybody. over the last several days, the united states has been responding to events as they have unfolded in the ukraine. through this crisis, we have been very clear about one fundamental question. the ukrainian people deserve the opportunity to determine their own future. together with our european allies, we have urged an end to the violence and encourage ukrainians to pursue a course to form a broad-based government and move to elections this spring. i also spoke with president putin. we have been in daily communication with russian officials. we have made clear they can be part of an international community effort to support the stability and success of a united ukraine going forward, which is not only in the interest of the people of the ukraine and the international committee but also in russia positive firsts. however, we are now deeply concerned of reports of military movements taken by the russian federation inside the ukraine. an historic relationship with the ukraine, including cultural and economic ties and a military

have been clear that they can be a part of an international effort to support the success of the united ukraine going for, which is not only in the interest of people of the ukraine, but also in russia's interest. we're now deeply concerned about reports of military movements taken by the russian federation inside of ukraine. russia has a historic relationship with ukraine, including cultural and economic ties. any violation of ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of ukraine, russia, or europe. it would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the ukrainian people. it would be a clear violation of russia's commitment to respect the independence, sovereignty, and borders of ukraine. and of international laws. just days after the world came to russia for the look at games, it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world. indeed, the united states will stand with the international community in affirming there will be costs for being military intervention to ukraine. haveast several mo

we have made clear that we can be part of an international effort to support a united ukraine moving forward, which is not only in support of the ukraine, but also in russia's interest. byare now deeply concerned reports of military movements taken by the russian federation inside the ukraine. russia has a historic history with them. any violation of ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of ukraine, russia, or europe. these matters must he determined by the ukrainian people. it would be a clear violation of russia's commitment to respect the independence, sovereignty, and choices of the ukraine and international laws. it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world, and indeed, the united states will stand with the international community in supporting that there would be costs for any military action in the ukraine. this has reminded us how difficult democracy can be in a country with deep divisions. human beings have a universal right to determine their own future. right now, the situation remains flu

can be part of an international communities effort to support the stability and success of a united ukraine going forward. which is not only in the interest of the people of ukraine and the international community, but also in russia's interests. however, we are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the russian federation inside of ukraine. russia has a historic relationship with ukraine, including cultural and economic ties and a military facility in crimea. but any violation of ukraine's sovereignty would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of ukraine, russia, or europe. it would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the ukrainian people. it would be a clear violation of russia's commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of ukraine and of international loss. and just days after the world came to russia for the olympic games, it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world, and indeed, the united states will stand with the international community in affirming there will be cos

ukraine. what he didn't do is threaten any action on the part of the united states. he made it very clear that vice president biden has been in contact with the prime minister of ukraine, commended the new government there on the restraint that it has shown. again, this was a stern warping to russia. it is what we expected president obama to say. it was a brief statement. it was, to some extent, a reiteration of what we have heard, but again that phrase there, ed that you point out, deeply concerned is the headline. it is this white house essentially upping the ante and saying we are watching what you're doing and we are not going to just stand by. >> only speculate if the president is concerned about sovereignty and there are military actions by the russian federation inside the ukraine, we can only speculate what kind of conversation the president and mr. putin had about that. and you profoundly point out, kristen, that there were -- were no words of any kind of military action whatsoever but the question begs, what will it take for the united states to possibly get

can be part of an international community's effort to support the stability and success of a united ukraine going forward which is not only in the interest of the people of ukraine and the international community, but also in russia's interests. however, we are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the russian federation inside of ukraine. russia has a historic relationship with ukraine including cultural and economic ties and a military facility in crimea but any violation of ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destablizing which is not in the interest of ukraine, russia or europe. it would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the ukrainian people. it would be a clear violation of russia's commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of ukraine and of international laws. just days after the world came to russia for the olympic games that would invite the condemnation of nation around the world and indeed the united states will stand with the international community in affirming tha

and is ukraine important enough to west, including the united states, where we could actually see an escalation of these tensions? >> reporter: tony, ukraine falls in an incredibly important strategic location between east and west. there are a number of geopolitical matters that are important to ukraine, not least of which the pipeline of gas that comes from russia to europe, and europe gets an awful lot of its energy from russia via that pipeline. now for the russians, it's not just economic. it's not geopolitical. it is cultural. this is the birthplace of the russian state. this is where the russians began or what would eventually become the russians began their campaign to free themselves from the monguls back in centuries ago. so there is a cultural tie there. this all comes back in many ways to this fight between the west and the east. and there is just very strong sentiment from vladimir putin in particular, that he wants to re-establish an eurasiaen power, with a political system. this territory. this patch of ground is just located in such an area, tony, that it is fought ove

they say they belong in a pro european united ukraine.eputies were to meet inside the regional parliament to discuss the future, but the muslim minority has been alarmed by talk of separatism from talk from russian politicians. >> it evolves around the parliament. and the premiere from the ukraine. >> in kiev different supporters gather together to defend their interests. some want want to return to russia and others to the region to have greater autonomy. >> this is a contest over who can shout the loudest, who has the largest number of supporters and who cares more about the future of crimea and ukraine. >> the police look under staffed. it may not be up to them to keep the peace. crimea should choose peace this sign reads, but he looks like a lone voice. it depends on who is ready to listen. >> we have more on the russian military drills. we have this update from moscow. >> the announcements have raised speculation that they are linked to what is going on in ukraine. that is dismissed by russia's defense minister who said it has nothin

they say they belong is a proeuropean united ukraine.he muslim minority has been al-latin americaed by talk of acce separatetism. >> it is outraged by information, information involving parliamenting wants to separate our -- our muslim chrimea to different state. >> reporter: some want chrimea to return to russia. others want greater autonomy. this is a contest over who can shout the loudest, who has the largest number of supporters, and who cares more about the future of chrimea and ukraine. police looked stressed. it may be up to them to keep the peace. ♪ >>> anti-government protests are continuing for a second day in turkey. the rallies seen here organized by turkey's leading opposition. they are angry about a corruption scandal involving the government just a day ago. an audiotape was leaked of the president telling his son to hide millions in cash. the prime minister says it was fabricated. turkey's president has signed a new law tightening the grip on the judiciary. and parliament has passed a law strengthening control over the int

that angered people in the ukraine who want closer ties to europe and the united states. international tensions rose further with russia's accusation the united states is meddling and interfering in ukraine.

it is not in the interest of russia, ukraine, or the united states to see the country split. it is in nobody's interest to see violence return and the situation escalate. there is not an inherent connection between a ukraine that has a long-standing historical ties to russia and a modern ukraine that wants to integrate more closely with europe. it need not be mutually exclusive. host: your take? espoo i agree completely with ambassador -- guest: i agree completely with ambassador rice. she warned president putin against the use of force in ukraine. would bentolerable and outrages. secondly, she made a very good point that a country like ukraine can have a historic and linguistic tie to russia but it has its own political orientation. if ukraine wants to take its country into a closer trade relationship with the european union they ought to be able to do that. the end of the cold war, 20 years ago, one of the great successes at the end of the cold haveere people in europe been dominated by the soviet empire for four decades and now had a chance to choose. it does look like peop

territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of ukraine, russia, or europe. the uniteds will stand with the international community in affirming there will be costs for any military intervention in ukraine. >> i think i can say that interference from our western colleagues has not been helpful and they have a certain responsibility for those dramatic consequences. >> well, the russian ambassador to the u.n. may not say it's happening, but the pentagon and our intelligence officials are confirming some 2,000 russian troops are now on the ground in crimea. inside ukraine. and that, you heard the president, is not something that the u.s. is behind. in fact, there will be consequences, there are costs, according to the president. what are the costs and what is the next step? let's bring in our panel. jonah goldberg, charles layne, and charles krauthammer. charles. >> as we just heard a little earlier from jennifer, the ukrainians and i think everybody is shocked by the weakness of obama's statement. it is, i find it rather staggering. and the fact we have done nothing of an

ukraine. trade between the united states and ukraine, pretty limited. >> it is clear that the president is being backed by the kremlin. ofs this raise the specter increased tensions between washington and moscow ? >> we see that already. the rhetoric is getting tougher. at theisis is happening olympics are playing out and the u.s. is working with russia over syria and iran. this is a new crisis in the midst of these other issues. only compensates thanks. every step the united states makes in the ukraine coming up have to imagine that it is raising tensions with the russians. peter cook joining me here in new york. thank you. up next, the first-hand look at the job in california -- drought in california. erik schatzker is live. mark, the white house is busy responding to the ukraine. last week, the president was here in california visiting with -- dealing with domestic issues. he was investigating california's worst drought in more than a century. i have been here all week and i spent time talking to all types of people across the state. including one farmer who met with the president. stay with

this whole area used to be occupied by many people who were born or lived in the ukraine, who immigrated to the unitedtes. a little bit less so these days but many people in the ukraine here. we wanted to get the views of young people, so we turned to the chef of the restaurant. your family, most of them are still in the ukraine. >> yes, all of my family in the ukraine. my brother's family, also my aunt. my aunt worked in independent square, an. >> you must be very worried about them. are you an able to communicate with them very much? >> i worry about my relatives, and also i worry about all people. my relatives, everybody trying to keep--take care of themselves in good condition because it is dangerous. >> many ukrainians living hearsay they're sending care packages to family and friends in kiev. in venezuela protesters gathered outside of a courthouse in caracas. oh opposition leader leopold lopez was arrested for his involvement in protests that led to five people's death. he's being held in prison in the caracas area. we're joined now from caracas, rachel, let's start with the streets of caracas

. >> seeking help from the united states - ukraine's opposition leaders prepare for a meeting with john kerry. >> hello, welcome to al jazeera, live from doha. also ahead on the program - the final push. anti-government protesters are on the streets of bangkok on the eve of the election. >> an al jazeera team reach a remote village in

>> seeking help from the united states - ukraine's opposition leaders prepare for a meeting with john kerry. >> hello, welcome to al jazeera, live from doha. also ahead on the program - the final push. anti-government protesters are on the streets of bangkok on the eve of the election. >> an al jazeera team reach a remote village in nigeria, where a village was massacred in a church. >> they need our help. >> protests in australia over proposals to cull sharks. >> ukraine's protesters have been out on the freezing streets for two months, hoping to get a boost from the world's most powerful nations. they are due to meet secretary of state john kerry in berlin. they want ukraine's president to step down because he's steering the country closer to russia, and because of moves he's made. the opposition activist said he was abducted and tortured. they say they were protecting him from being arrested. >> translation: police said they had an order to arrest mitchell. there were many police cars. we spoke to the doctors, they con firm he was in worse condition and agreed with an investigate.

around two dozen members of ukraine's notorious been to the riot police unit went on stage and with the ukraine's largest western sydney after returning from the capital kiev to ask for forgiveness on behalf of their colleagues from ukraine special services or accused of shooting and killing civilian protesters more than eighty people died during the violence last week normally you wearing that uniform is a nice uniforms disgrace during the events in kyiv. when people wear shorts that's kind of investigation is now on the way. they say those were interior ministry troops. we deny official anyway we've come to beg for forgiveness on them the oklahoma to live with him on protesters yelled a shame on you as the police walked through the square and shout at them to get down on her knees all of them nodded off of the people here all innocence and should not hold to that means they are not guilty of anything they have taken an oath to protect the ukrainian people. they did not shoot at the people and kept their eye as they did not eat people. they were simply caught up in this situation for a

ukraine, growing concerns of a russian invasion. stories escalating by the moment. we just heard a little while ago from jim acosta, our senior white house correspondent, the united states is now actively considering the possibility of not attending the g-8 summit in sochi, russia, in june unless the russians withdraw their troops from ukraine. don't get involved militarily. the immediate and former u.s. ambassador to russia, michael mcfaul is joining us once again. he's back in stanford university, only back a couple days, ambassador and the situation is escalating by the moment. i want you to listen to what senator john mccain told us here in "the situation room" just a little while ago about president obama. >> it's been clear that maybe the president of the united states has been a bit naive about vladimir putin and his ambitions. >> you served the president of the united states, you were named as his ambassador in moscow, you're a scholar when it comes to russia and the former soviet union. is the president a bit naive when it comes to putin? >> no. and i worked with the president for five years, wolf. i worked with at the white house for three years before going t

steps and faces what could be the worst drought in modern history. >>> the ukraine's protesters got a big endorsement from the united states today. secretary of state john kerry met with opposition figures on the sidelines of the munich security conference. the u.s. is considering sanctions against ukraine. meanwhile, demonstrations continue demanding the president step down. our jennifer glass joins us live from the capital of kiev. how productive were those talks today? >> reporter: jonathan, it's not clear that they were terrible productive. the opposition leaders were offered anything concrete in munich but it was a big meeting for them in europe words of support. it's not clear what else. >> they are fighting for the right to associate with partners who help them realize their aspirations. the united states and eu stand with the people of ukraine in that fight. >>> despite a stand-off in ukraine against the opposition and the government, a sign there is room for man your, opposition leaders saying a political solution is still on the table. >> the only chance to decrease the dictatorship powers of the president

the united states has been largely absent from the field. i think if we want to move in the ukraine and western direction, we have to step forward. the thing i think is most important is for the united states to make it clear. we see ukraine's future as being a member of nato. not from membership at the european union. >> there was a great opportunity there and we will see how it develops. thank you so much for your insight and the thoughts and prayers of all americans are with the ukrainian people this morning. thank you. >> thank you, eric. >> that is so true. with the former president on the run, thousands of u crapians are flocking to his luxury estate outside the capital because they are curious and want to take a look around. the gates of the estate thrown open after he fled. the lavish grounds are a symbol of the allegationed corruption taking place. there is a private ship, gardens and a private golf course and some took time to play a few rounds themselves as you can see here. back here at home, the nation's governors are gathering in washington for the governor's conferenc

eu has more influence in ukraine and then the united states because it has the ability to offer incentives that we do not. ukraine would very much like this trade agreement with the eu and eventually become a member. does not advantage is that the united states that offer. sanctions, i believe that if there were sanctions on corrupt officials on ukraine visiting the united states and the eu in it for financial sanctions against the assets of ukrainian officials, this would encourage the ukrainian government to make the political compromises necessary to a peaceful resolution. >> you mentioned the united states. what is their role? >> the united states share the same interests as the eu in seeing the resolution -- the revolution of the democratic ukraine. we do have influence of the world leaders power -- leading powert but we can offer the ukraine incentives like the eu can. our role is important but not as important as eu. this is a crisis that is created within refrain and is a crisis that we resolve iranian's -- by ukrainians. outside actors several it's of little influence. >> what wou

ukraine. >> the united states will stand with the international community in affirming there will be costs for my military intervention in ukraine. >> reporter: there are reports pro russian gunmen are guarding two airports in the crimian peninsula and that russian crews are around the coastguard base. >> any violation of ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destablizing. >> reporter: earlier viktor yanukovych vowed to fight for his country. the fugitive president said threats against his family forced him to leave ukraine. he's now in southern russia. secretary of state john kerry spoke on the phone with his russian counterpart friday and said he made it clear to the russian foreign minister not to intervene. >> the question is whether or not what is happening now meeting crossing a line in any way and we're going to be very careful in making our judgments about that. >> reporter: the obama administration wants to focus on the political transition in ukraine's capital to help keep the country stable. craig boswell for cbs news, the state department. >> secretary ker

west problem the current problem ukraine is really a problem of an authoritarian government did still has triggered substantial opposition from its own people. and in united states since it believes in democracy has has endorsed the democratic aspirations of the ukrainian people by the way when i was in ukraine and was delusional one the third election of two thousand and four or encourage them to go to moscow on his very first state visit rather than go anywhere else because i understood how important korean russian relations or that was true then that's true today well maybe you are in the minority when it comes to western political analysis because you're right that this conflict has been really portrayed in the west as this very binary very stark choice between russia on one side and the west on the other side i wonder if it's in a way a product of mr unocal bitches on strategy because he was the one who really tried to play a russia against the west has he really succeeded all that i think. tried to take advantage of differences between russia and the worst but i also think that the political culture in russia makes it very hard to see this is anythi

. >> you said the united states inds to stand by its friends ukraine. what those friends really need is cash. extent is the united states willing or able to pony billions of dollars ukraine needs now? > well, obviously it is more likely that that amount of money, whether that number is $7 it is or $38 billion, likely somewhere in between, will come from the i.m.f. a lot of states has influence there and can show significant leadership. a smaller ing about aid package that could be approved by the united states that is likely to be in the hundreds of millions of billions.ot tens of i spoke to the secretary today in a is actively engaged conversation with the i.m.f. to see if there is an ability to loan package in the near future. we will debate in the united a tes senate hopefully smaller package of assistance that can maybe be a temporary life line. the cash but just who is going to influence ukraine. ukraine ggested if doesn't get money from the west it will have to get it from they will put leverage on the new government. >> i think that is what the i.

contrary to the actual government of the ukraine which is led by mr rich so we have a situation where the united states through missing you newland is actually maneuvering to put its position it's person in charge of the ukraine against the government there and in ways that do not conform to the constitution or the laws of the ukraine or and which have nothing to do with the election with elections in the ukraine terrace in new york how do you how did you react to the to the leaked conversation because it's quite embarrassing and i would suppose if you take it at face value it shows the true intentions of the united states about regime change and care of. i think this is i wasn't very. i didn't think this was such a great big deal every government whether it's european union britain america russia as well will be discussing between themselves who they would like to have in place the previous caller. previous expert talked about the government there isn't a government in place in ukraine that's the problem the country is moving towards default and there isn't a government in place it's not going

ukraine. speaking in the white house briefing room, he said the united states is "deeply concerned" by reports of russian military movements. >> any violation of ukraine's sovereignty or territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of ukraine, russia or europe. it would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the ukrainian people. it would be a clear violation of russia's commitment to respect the independence, sovereignty and borders of ukraine, and of international law. and just days after olympics, it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world. >> woodruff: we'll look for answers to today's fast-moving ukraine developments, and russia's role, after the news summary. in moscow today, a russian court put opposition leader alexei navalny under house arrest for at least two months. prosecutors said he violated rules barring him from leaving the city of moscow. the court banned navalny from using the internet or having any visitors. but he said the decree is meant to silence his outspoken criticism of president p

ukraine is no most. of the. pain. of the future harder. between two and three hundred million guns the united states so you can act like they're not here and keep kids away from them. the causes are you know i mean this teaches them a lot of for a responsibility i'm simply going to pay through the eyes of children if we can do it for our children for our future. posts right on. sir st louis and i think a trip. on a reporter's. instrument. the. one of the new will come up in a lot of these new policies at the same time you know the. pleasure to have you with us here on our t.v. today i'm sure. why do you think that us is lacking respect towards your country as you say it only old self people oil this is the largest oil reserves in the world that is now in the lead all the local oil basing now called what charges oil base and it's the largest oil reserves in the worlds so the us is agreed like a vampire. to get their hands on dad oil again because that. huge reserve sort of flies out of the largest world oil reserve. is in the interest of the united states to put a ten dollar. unit legally spea

. >>> the united states today cautioned russia against intervening in ukraine. now that the pro-moscow regime has surrendered power to those seeking closer ties to the west. national security adviser susan rice said it's in the interests of both the united states and russia that peace in ukraine be maintained. dozens were killed in clashes there earlier in the week. >> there is not an inherent contradiction, david, between a ukraine that has longstanding historic and cultural ties to russia and a modern ukraine that wants to integrate more closely with europe. >> viktor yanukovych is believed to be in a city near the russian border. eastern ukraine is closely aligned with russia than the western part of the country and some think ukraine could split into two. in one city there were clashes between pro-russian and pro-western demonstrators. rice said she hoped the countries would remain intact. >> it's not in the interests of ukraine or russia or europe or the united states to see the country split. it's in nobody's interest to see violence return and the situatio

united states. whenever -- let's take the ukraine. en all ukrainians in america return home to help their country, that is when we should get involved. guest: this caller, like most of the others, expresses a serious concern about the united states intervening overseas. what we're talking about in the ukraine is not a deployment. it is diplomacy. there are no dangers of the type that existed when we put military forces on the ground in afghanistan. the caller is right. other countries do not get involved in our civil rights movements. we have a history as the world's oldest democracy to encourage democracy around the world. there's nothing wrong with that.

ukraine is that the ple protests than taking place are deeply authentic. deeply embedded in that society. and these people aren't waiting for europe and the united states to pitch in, to intervene. this isn't, you know, a group trying to generate red lines that are crossed. this is deep in the soul and identity of ukraine. we're fairly irrelevant to what's going on. that's why i think it's fairly certain we're going to see an escalation there. and you're going to see a lot of tension between russia and the united states over this because fundamentally, we would like the story that ukraine tilted towards western liberal democracy, towards europe. and vladimir putin wants to keep this country kind of well snuck under his armpit. i think there's going to be a lot of war of words. but our options are fairly limited. >> let's listen to what john kerry had to say about this today in paris. >> the ukrainian president has an opportunity to make a choice. a choice between protecting the people that he serves, all of the people, and the choice for compromise and dialogue versus violence and mayhem. we believe the choice is clear and we are talking about t

it is not in the interest of russia, ukraine, or the united states to see the country split. is in nobody's interest to see violence return and the situation escalate. there is not an inherent connection between a ukraine that has a long-standing historical ties to russia and a modern ukraine that wants to integrate more closely with europe. it need not be mutually exclusive. host: your take? espoo i agree completely with ambassador -- guest: i agree completely with ambassador rice. she warned president putin against the use of force in ukraine. would bentolerable and outrages. secondly, she made a very good point that a country like ukraine can have a historic and linguistic tie to russia but it has its own political orientation. if ukraine wants to take its country into a closer trade relationship with the european union they ought to be able to do that. the end of the cold war, 20 years ago, one of the great successes at the end of the cold haveere people in europe been dominated by the soviet empire for four decades and now had a chance to choose. it does look like people

ukraine would do in the future. i think this underlines the fact that at least for the united states ukraine is a long way away. there's just so much we can do to get involved in the post-soviet state of that there is a limit to that and other foreign-policy priorities. the bush administration at one point ,-com,-com ma the bush administration would it nato membership for the ukraine within the ukraine did that ukraine is an interested anymore. there is maybe more of a reason for them to get involved but the geography does matter and i think you look at the map i think everyone has to understand maybe ukraine has to work out something in the future where doesn't have to choose one side or the other but it can somehow work with both sides because otherwise i think it's unrealistic. >> host: them russian foreign minister much maligned by some of the united states in my view often unfairly. he was in brussels talking to the dash union and complained about european and u.s. officials were doing during the demonstrations. he complained that european officials and u.s. assistant secretary of state said nothing about

supports ukraine's fight for dem abbing rahsy: >> leaders are hoping for support from the united states, not just the moral support over the past two months. an opposition leader said ukraine noods a martial plan, not mart cal law. opposition leaders will meet with the u.s. secretary of state in munich. krait speaking in munich gave support for the ukraine. >> the vast majority of ukrainians want too live freely. they are fighting for the right to associate with partners who will help them realise their as sirations, meaning their future do not have a lie with one country alone. the united states and e.u. stand with the people of ukraine. >> "my only love" said it amounts to sparring, rewarding violence on the streets. ukraine is divided between the east and the west in a tug of war between the east and the west. on the square behind me there are tens of thousands of ukrainians who have come out into the cold winter to support better integration with the european union. helping to fight against a corrupt government. they would like to see viktor yanukovych step down. they'll remain pon

not forget those mobs in ukraine if they are stooges of the west and they are willing stooges of the west if they won't get in supported politically and logistically by the united states and the european union they probably wouldn't be out on the streets in the first very start so that in order to questions about this i reply you're very very concerned about ukraine course the west will not stop supporting these these these horrendous people in the streets that are killing that are killing police officers here and also we have. not gotten i don't know what you said most region of the us a little smarter but you know you have general there any idea and we are in the way i mean on crane aerial aerial and let's connect some dots here because when there was the munich security is this likely munich security conference recently ok when the new leads opposition figures went and met with american officials ok and european officials they go back you can only repeat it now and then and then the tone of intolerance we have to remember you know which said ok i'll bring you into the government ok then just recently an amnesty ok what else do you want we want to overthrown

united states and e.u. stand with the people of ukraine. >> secretary of state john kerry backs ukraine's protesters while russia accuses the west of undermining the government. gun battles in the streets of bangkok as thailand prepares for national elections. california takes steps as it faces its worst drought in modern history. as the country kicks down the kick-off we look at who is really going to cash in on the super bowl. >> ukraine's protesters got a big endorsement from the united states. secretary of state john kerry met with opposition figures on the sideline of a munich conference. u.s. is considering sanctions. russia accused western powers of fanning the flames of unrelevant. there are still demands for the ukraine president to step down. jennifer glasse follows the developments. >> ukrainian opposition leaders meeting with secretary of state john kerry in munich got words of support. it's not clear what else. >> they are fighting for the right to associate with partners to help them realise their aspirations. the united states and e.u. stand with the people of ukraine in that fight. >> despite a s