President Obama told Vladimir Putin after Crimea voted to break away from Ukraine Sunday that the U.S. and its allies were prepared to "impose additional costs on Russia for its actions." Sanctions could come as soon as Monday. The White House says Obama declared the vote would "never be recognized" by the U.S. as a legitimate way to determine the status of Crimea. Meanwhile, Putin told Obama he's worried about Russian speakers in Ukraine. The Kremlin said Putin "drew attention to the inability and unwillingness of the present authorities in Kiev to curb rampant violence by ultranationalist and radical groups." Conveniently, Putin's soldiers are already in Ukraine, ready to protect Russophones.
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