Britain: Putin chosen path to isolation

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague speaks at the start of a European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels March 17, 2014. Hague said on Monday he expects EU ministers to agree sanctions including travel bans and asset freezes against Russian and Crimean individuals following Moscow's seizure of Crimea and Sunday's secession referendum.

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague speaks at the start of a European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels March 17, 2014. Hague said on Monday he expects EU ministers to agree sanctions including travel bans and asset freezes against Russian and Crimean individuals following Moscow's seizure of Crimea and Sunday's secession referendum.

Published Mar 18, 2014

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London - Russian President Vladimir Putin has chosen the path to Russia's isolation by moving to annex Ukraine's Crimea region, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Tuesday.

“It was regrettable to hear President Putin today choosing the route of isolation, denying the citizens of his own country, and of Crimea, partnership with the international community and full membership of a range of international organisations,” Hague said in a statement to parliament.

Hague also said there was grave danger that a provocation elsewhere in Ukraine could be used as a pretext for a further military escalation.

He said that it was highly likely that other G8 countries would now want to meet without Russia. - Reuters

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