Obama: Crimea referendum would ’violate international law’

US President Barack Obama condemned a proposed referendum in Crimea to join Russia, saying it would “violate international law” and that any decision on Crimea “must include the Ukrainian government.” Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said US sanctions were aimed at punishing Moscow for its intervention in Ukraine. “This morning I signed an executive order that authorises sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for violating the sovereignty and territorial inte