Obama consults Spain, Kazakh leaders on Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has spoken with the leaders of Spain and Kazakhstan about the crisis in Ukraine.
The calls on Monday come as the U.S. is seeking to show a united front with world leaders on Ukraine.
The White House says Obama and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (mah-ree-AH'-noh rah-HOY') agreed that Ukraine's sovereignty must be respected and were gravely concerned over what they deem Russia's violation of international law.
Obama and Rajoy also praised Ukraine's new government for showing restraint, and rejected a planned March 16 referendum on whether the Ukrainian region of Crimea should break away and join Russia.
The White House says Obama encouraged President Nursultan Nazarbayev (nur-sul-TAHN' nah-sar-BAH'-yev) of Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic, to play an active role in finding a peaceful outcome for Ukraine.
