John Kerry Denies Split Between US And Europe On Russia Policy

[Purveyor]

Source: REUTERS

By Reuters | 8 Feb, 2015, 03.58PM IST

MUNICH: US Secretary of State John Kerry denied on Sunday that a split has emerged between Washington and Europe over how to handle Russia, after leading US senators sharply criticised Germany and other countries who oppose sending arms to the Ukraine military.

"Let me assure everybody there is no division, there is no split - I hear people trying to create one," Kerry told a security conference in Munich.

"We are united, we are working closely together, we all agree that this challenge will not end through military force. We are united in our diplomacy."

End

Read more: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/46164266.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Lots of moving parts,

and the most important is Germany. Do not kid your self on this Country,they are at this time the Economic Heart and Soul of the European Continent. The German people have had to eat austerity since Merkel was elected,and in saying that,the Frugality of the people has saved Merkel's butt. England is pretty much a dead horse economically and the rest of Europe is struggling as a result of the ECB foisting austerity on every country just to prevent a major depreciation and Russia is for the most part bankrupt. All of these players need each other just to get through the hangover of Supply Side Economics. Germany supply's Russia with cash credits as well as food and materials. Kerry is the best person for coming in and straightening this situation out. Some how Kerry will find a way for Putin to save face and the Neo Con people that are running Ukraine to save face. It's all about the Mineral and Oil deposits and Natural gas for European Countries. Our Neo Cons in our State Department are still playing Empire Games and it is bitting us in the ass. Kerry is stuck with Bush Cheney appointees who were moled in with GS protected service rights,thus they can not be fired with out just cause.

[sadoldgirl]

4. I hope that you are right, but

I think that Germany as well as France don't want any
further provocations directed at Putin.
Yet our administration seems to be agreeable to supply
weapons to the Ukrainian government.

The question is who will win out, the transnational Energy
corporations or Russia. The supply for Europe worked okay,
but the GREED may have the last word.

[MBS]

5. you've outlined those moving parts well.

For all the talking heads who "worry " about what It Means when the US is present (or not) at various meetings and when the US and European statements are (or are not) in sync:
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that all the countries in question (EU + NATO countries, US, Ukraine) are talking with each other and coordinating with each other constantly. I'm sure that there has to be MUCH more going on behind the scenes than is obvious from 30-second cable-news soundbites.
If it were the W administration, I might worry: but the Obama administration has emphasized from Day One how important it is for all the allies to work together- and to date they've walked the walk on that, consistently. And Obama also has been insistent on thinking before acting. Given this powder-keg situation, I'm glad of that, too.

And, yes, I agree that Kerry is the best person for the job right now, and his creative and sensitive diplomacy , and overall foreign policy expertise (plus his real-life military experience and his fluency in French and good personal relationships with almost all the players) is just what we need.
And I also agree with you that it must be an extra headache for him to have inherited a clot of Bush-Cheney appointees with neocon tendencies and limited loyalties in the State Dept.

As you said, LOTS of moving parts.

[Bossy Monkey]

2. Fox News will report: Kerry denies existence of Atlantic Ocean :) n/t

[cosmicone]

3. The only non-military option is to let Russia have its way

and make sure Ukraine never joins EU and NATO.

Putin will not settle for anything less. We may throw in Victoria Nuland's firing to sweeten the deal.

[quadrature]

6. I guess that is what beimg 'flexible' means ...nt

[sadoldgirl]

7. I agree totally, and

there is no question that a neutral Ukraine may even be good for
that country. Talking of weapon supply and other ways to force
Russia to step back are day dreams.
Besides, I think we may need Putin for any ME talks, inspite of
all our "exceptionalism".