by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Governor Eddie Calvo says first he's hopeful that peace can move forward in this crisis between Russia and Ukraine and that the best course of action is diplomacy. He says secondly, there is concern about the talk of U.S. sanctions and how it could have an impact on Guam.

"This has just exploded over the past few days, so everything is so dynamic what I do intend to is work through our channels and work with the congresswoman as well to get a better idea of how things are unfolding and at the same looking at all these aspects of this conflict and what it potentially means for places such as Guam and the Northern Marianas of course we do understand with the visa waivers that have been applied to Russia, it has had a definite economic advantage for the people of Guam and the Northern Marianas and that information has to also be made known to the powers that be in Washington D.C.," he said.

Governor Calvo hopes as decisions are being made that officials will look to what is the best interest of both the U.S. and Russia and ultimately for peace in Ukraine.

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo says the crisis remains a tenuous situation adding she supports President Barack Obama's pledge to impose serious consequences on Russia as a result of their military's movement into Crimea. Just as she believes Russia's actions are a clear violation of international law, Bordallo is hopeful the administration will de-escalate the situation and avoid a military conflict. She goes on to say, "However I am confident in our country's readiness to respond, politically and militarily, particularly as countries in the Asia-Pacific Region monitor our strategic posture moving forward."