The White House has issued a statement on the Russian troop invasion of Crimea. Here, in part, is what they said along with a translation:

White House statement: President Obama spoke for 90 minutes this afternoon with President Putin of Russia about the situation in Ukraine. President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law, including Russia’s obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine, and which is inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and the Helsinki Final Act. The United States condemns Russia’s military intervention into Ukrainian territory.

Translation: We condemn it, but there is nothing we can do about it. All of these international laws are irrelevant. They don’t apply to us any more than they do to you. The only law that really exists is the law of the jungle. Might makes right.

White House Statement: The Ukrainian government has made clear its commitment to protect the rights of all Ukrainians and to abide by Ukraine’s international commitments, and we will continue to urge them to do so.

Translation: As long as it suits us to do so, we will continue to ignore the influence of fascist forces within the new Ukrainian government, the beating of trade unionists, the fire-bombing of synagogues, the withdrawing of recognition of different languages, etc. As long as they honor their “international commitments” – meaning paying their debts to the banks, the IMF, etc. – we don’t care about the rest.

White House Statement: President Obama told President Putin that, if Russia has concerns about the treatment of ethnic Russian and minority populations in Ukraine, the appropriate way to address them is peacefully through direct engagement with the government of Ukraine and through the dispatch of international observers under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Translation: We know that ethnic groups will be repressed in Ukraine. This includes ethnic Russians. Nothing should be done about this that really matters, as long as it is our allies doing the repression. We are looking for a way to get our hands into this matter.

White House Statement: President Obama urged an immediate effort to initiate a dialogue between Russia and the Ukrainian government, with international facilitation, as appropriate. The United States is prepared to participate.

Translation: We are looking for a way to get our hands into the matter.

White House Statement: Going forward, we will continue consulting closely with allies and partners, the Ukrainian government and the International Monetary Fund, to provide the new government with significant assistance to secure financial stability, to support needed (economic) reforms, to allow Ukraine to conduct successful elections, and to support Ukraine as it pursues a democratic future. 

Translation: Message to Ukrainian workers: You will be f___ed by both us and Russia.