President Barack Obama said his week in the Asia-Pacific proved to be a "strong week for American leadership" at a news conference Sunday marking the end of a G-20 summit in Brisbane, Australia. Obama cited progress in the areas of trade, climate change and the fight against the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.
Obama added that headway that was made will mean more jobs for Americans, steps toward a cleaner and healthier planet and progress toward saving lives not just in West Africa, but elsewhere. "If you ask me, I'd say that's a pretty good week," he said.
He said talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin had been "businesslike and blunt," adding: “My communication to him was no different than what I’ve said publicly and privately." He said Russia "has the opportunity to take a different path to resolve the issue of Ukraine in a way that respects Ukrainian sovereignty and is consistent with international law" but in the meantime "we are going to maintain the economic isolation while maintaining the possibility of a diplomatic solution."
