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| Ukraine peace bid moves to Moscow as U.S. weighs providing weapons | Ukraine peace bid moves to Moscow as U.S. weighs providing weapons |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| MOSCOW — A European-led bid to quell escalating fighting in eastern Ukraine was underway in Moscow on Friday amid pessimism about whether the parties to the bitter conflict could reach a compromise. | MOSCOW — A European-led bid to quell escalating fighting in eastern Ukraine was underway in Moscow on Friday amid pessimism about whether the parties to the bitter conflict could reach a compromise. |
| The burst of diplomacy came as the White House deliberated on whether to arm Ukraine’s military, a possibility that appears to have opened rifts between Washington and Europe. As German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande touched down in Moscow to pursue a peace plan, another top German official said that sending weapons to Ukraine was a dangerous idea. | The burst of diplomacy came as the White House deliberated on whether to arm Ukraine’s military, a possibility that appears to have opened rifts between Washington and Europe. As German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande touched down in Moscow to pursue a peace plan, another top German official said that sending weapons to Ukraine was a dangerous idea. |
| Ukrainian officials said any agreement to stop the fighting must adhere to principles agreed for a previous cease-fire in September, raising questions about how durable any new peace plan could be. The September agreement quickly broke down, and officials briefed on President Vladimir Putin’s newest suggestions for a resolution said he wanted to award pro-Russian rebels the hundreds of square miles of territory that they have captured in the meantime. | Ukrainian officials said any agreement to stop the fighting must adhere to principles agreed for a previous cease-fire in September, raising questions about how durable any new peace plan could be. The September agreement quickly broke down, and officials briefed on President Vladimir Putin’s newest suggestions for a resolution said he wanted to award pro-Russian rebels the hundreds of square miles of territory that they have captured in the meantime. |
| The parallel tracks from the West — a peace bid while also considering the addition of more firepower in the conflict — presented an increasingly complicated backdrop to the high-level talks underway with Putin. He, Hollande and Merkel began their meeting without their entourages, a Kremlin spokesman said. | The parallel tracks from the West — a peace bid while also considering the addition of more firepower in the conflict — presented an increasingly complicated backdrop to the high-level talks underway with Putin. He, Hollande and Merkel began their meeting without their entourages, a Kremlin spokesman said. |
| But European officials were clearer Friday in their opposition to any U.S. proposals to arm the Ukrainians, raising the possibility of splits in what so far has been a unified Western front against Russia. | But European officials were clearer Friday in their opposition to any U.S. proposals to arm the Ukrainians, raising the possibility of splits in what so far has been a unified Western front against Russia. |
| “Focusing merely on weapons deliveries could add fuel to the conflict,” German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen told an international security conference in Munich, strongly cautioning the West against providing arms to Ukraine. | “Focusing merely on weapons deliveries could add fuel to the conflict,” German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen told an international security conference in Munich, strongly cautioning the West against providing arms to Ukraine. |
| Such a plan, she said, could worsen the fighting by escalating the type of weapons used on the battlefield. Russia, she argued, could simply funnel an unlimited number of arms to the separatists. The West would not be able to match such supplies and could potentially hand Moscow a pretext to become more deeply involved in the conflict, she said. | Such a plan, she said, could worsen the fighting by escalating the type of weapons used on the battlefield. Russia, she argued, could simply funnel an unlimited number of arms to the separatists. The West would not be able to match such supplies and could potentially hand Moscow a pretext to become more deeply involved in the conflict, she said. |
| Von der Leyen’s comments underscored the sharp differences between European capitals and a segment of policymakers in Washington who are arguing in favor of providing weapons. She suggested using economic levers against Russia instead. | Von der Leyen’s comments underscored the sharp differences between European capitals and a segment of policymakers in Washington who are arguing in favor of providing weapons. She suggested using economic levers against Russia instead. |
| Russian leaders also warned that any peace proposals could be crushed if Washington decides to arm Ukraine’s military. | Russian leaders also warned that any peace proposals could be crushed if Washington decides to arm Ukraine’s military. |
| In Washington, national security adviser Susan E. Rice said the proposals carried by Hollande and Merkel have the Ukrainian government’s blessing. “They’re not out there unilaterally cutting a deal with Putin at Ukraine’s expense,” she said Friday. | |
| Rice said the Obama administration has not made a decision yet to provide “lethal defensive equipment” to Ukraine and would do so only “in close consultation . . . with our partners, whose unity on this issue with us thus far has been a core element of our strength in responding to Russia’s aggression.” | |
| Ukraine, the United States, NATO and the European Union say Russia has sent troops and weapons into eastern Ukraine to bolster pro-Moscow separatists opposing the Western-oriented policies of the government in Kiev. | Ukraine, the United States, NATO and the European Union say Russia has sent troops and weapons into eastern Ukraine to bolster pro-Moscow separatists opposing the Western-oriented policies of the government in Kiev. |
| Russia denies offering direct help to the rebels in the nearly year-long conflict, but Moscow remains crucial to any attempt to restore the September truce, which is now largely in tatters. | Russia denies offering direct help to the rebels in the nearly year-long conflict, but Moscow remains crucial to any attempt to restore the September truce, which is now largely in tatters. |
| Expectations were low for a breakthrough in a conflict that has claimed at least 5,300 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. But the unusual shuttle diplomacy was an initial sign that the two European leaders believed that some deal could soon be achieved. Merkel has not visited Moscow since the conflict with Russia erupted nearly a year ago. | Expectations were low for a breakthrough in a conflict that has claimed at least 5,300 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. But the unusual shuttle diplomacy was an initial sign that the two European leaders believed that some deal could soon be achieved. Merkel has not visited Moscow since the conflict with Russia erupted nearly a year ago. |
| Ukrainian officials expressed worries Friday that any split between the United States and Europe would give the initiative to Putin. | Ukrainian officials expressed worries Friday that any split between the United States and Europe would give the initiative to Putin. |
| Putin’s “interest lies in the maximum destabilization for the situation in Ukraine,” a Ukrainian diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the state of the negotiations frankly. | Putin’s “interest lies in the maximum destabilization for the situation in Ukraine,” a Ukrainian diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the state of the negotiations frankly. |
| “As soon as he sees any break in the front of the West, the U.S. and the E.U., he will definitely see it as a spark for more actions,” the diplomat said. | “As soon as he sees any break in the front of the West, the U.S. and the E.U., he will definitely see it as a spark for more actions,” the diplomat said. |
| In Paris, Hollande described the mission to Moscow as a “first step.” | In Paris, Hollande described the mission to Moscow as a “first step.” |
| Hollande and Merkel headed to Moscow a day after talks in Kiev with Ukraine’s Western-allied president, Petro Poroshenko. | Hollande and Merkel headed to Moscow a day after talks in Kiev with Ukraine’s Western-allied president, Petro Poroshenko. |
| “We are convinced that there’s no military solution to this conflict,” Merkel said in Berlin before traveling to Moscow. “But we also know that it’s completely open whether we will manage to achieve a cease-fire with these talks.” | “We are convinced that there’s no military solution to this conflict,” Merkel said in Berlin before traveling to Moscow. “But we also know that it’s completely open whether we will manage to achieve a cease-fire with these talks.” |
| After a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Berlin, Merkel said she and Hollande did not know how long the talks would last or whether further negotiations would be needed. “Things are in flux,” she said. “We are trying everything we can for a solution of this conflict, especially an ending of the bloodshed.” | After a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Berlin, Merkel said she and Hollande did not know how long the talks would last or whether further negotiations would be needed. “Things are in flux,” she said. “We are trying everything we can for a solution of this conflict, especially an ending of the bloodshed.” |
| Poroshenko’s office said in a statement Friday that the proposals he had discussed with the French and German leaders largely held to the terms of the September cease-fire deal, “which are the basis for the resolution of the conflict.” | Poroshenko’s office said in a statement Friday that the proposals he had discussed with the French and German leaders largely held to the terms of the September cease-fire deal, “which are the basis for the resolution of the conflict.” |
| The discussions come a day after Secretary of State John F. Kerry stopped in Kiev and called on Russia to withdraw its forces and pull back weapons as a move toward calming tensions in eastern Ukraine. | The discussions come a day after Secretary of State John F. Kerry stopped in Kiev and called on Russia to withdraw its forces and pull back weapons as a move toward calming tensions in eastern Ukraine. |
| But Kerry also noted that President Obama was weighing whether to significantly boost military help to Ukraine. Lawmakers favoring the move toward so-called “lethal” aid want Washington to supply equipment such as antitank missiles, surveillance drones and advanced radar. | But Kerry also noted that President Obama was weighing whether to significantly boost military help to Ukraine. Lawmakers favoring the move toward so-called “lethal” aid want Washington to supply equipment such as antitank missiles, surveillance drones and advanced radar. |
| NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Munich that he supported the German and French initiative. But NATO’s top military commander said it was wrong to take stronger steps off the table. | NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Munich that he supported the German and French initiative. But NATO’s top military commander said it was wrong to take stronger steps off the table. |
| U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, NATO’s supreme commander in Europe, said options in the “tool bag” of responses in Ukraine should include political pressure, informational tactics and economic levers — plus military measures. | U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, NATO’s supreme commander in Europe, said options in the “tool bag” of responses in Ukraine should include political pressure, informational tactics and economic levers — plus military measures. |
| “If what is being done is not producing what you want to gain from the conversation, then maybe all tools in the tool bag should be used, and conventional means should not be outwardly discounted.” | “If what is being done is not producing what you want to gain from the conversation, then maybe all tools in the tool bag should be used, and conventional means should not be outwardly discounted.” |
| Russia’s ambassador to France, Aleksandr Orlov, told Europe 1 radio: “We are not afraid of [proposed U.S. arms shipments], but it would be madness because that would be like pouring oil on the fire.” | Russia’s ambassador to France, Aleksandr Orlov, told Europe 1 radio: “We are not afraid of [proposed U.S. arms shipments], but it would be madness because that would be like pouring oil on the fire.” |
| In advance of the Moscow talks, Orlov also added a sense of urgency. | In advance of the Moscow talks, Orlov also added a sense of urgency. |
| “I wouldn’t say it’s a last-chance meeting,” he said, “but it’s not far off.” | “I wouldn’t say it’s a last-chance meeting,” he said, “but it’s not far off.” |
| Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister joined Kerry and other officials at the security conference in Munich, where the conflict in Ukraine was expected to be high on the agenda. | Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister joined Kerry and other officials at the security conference in Munich, where the conflict in Ukraine was expected to be high on the agenda. |
| Former German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, who is heading the meeting, called Merkel and Hollande’s trip to Moscow a “last, resolute attempt” to secure a cease-fire pact reached last September. | Former German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, who is heading the meeting, called Merkel and Hollande’s trip to Moscow a “last, resolute attempt” to secure a cease-fire pact reached last September. |
| “All sides know that fighting over every square meter won’t help anyone. What’s needed now is calm so there can be negotiations,” Ischinger told Germany’s ZDF network. | “All sides know that fighting over every square meter won’t help anyone. What’s needed now is calm so there can be negotiations,” Ischinger told Germany’s ZDF network. |
| Murphy reported from Washington. Anthony Faiola and Carol Morello in Munich and Karen DeYoung in Washington contributed to this report. |