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Western Nations Divide Over Arming Kiev Against Russian-Backed Separatists Western Nations Split on Arming Kiev
(about 1 hour later)
MUNICH — Differences within the Western alliance over whether to send defensive arms to Ukraine were thrust into the open on Saturday when Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, bluntly opposed providing lethal military support to Kiev and called instead for continued efforts to persuade Russia and separatist forces to cease-fire. MUNICH — Differences within the Western alliance over whether to send defensive arms to Ukraine were thrust into the open on Saturday when Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, bluntly opposed providing lethal military support to Kiev and called instead for continued efforts to persuade Russia and separatist forces to cease fire.
“The progress that Ukraine needs cannot be achieved by more weapons,” she told a security conference here. Instead, she spoke of how Western values and persistence won the Cold War.“The progress that Ukraine needs cannot be achieved by more weapons,” she told a security conference here. Instead, she spoke of how Western values and persistence won the Cold War.
Ms. Merkel’s position was challenged by Senator Bob Corker, a Republican who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and by Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, who noted that there was growing support in the American Congress for arming Ukraine to make Russia pay a higher price. Ms. Merkel’s position was challenged by Senator Bob Corker, the Tennessee Republican who is chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and by Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, who noted that there was growing support in Congress for arming Ukraine to make Russia pay a higher price.
And Malcolm Rifkind, the former British foreign secretary and conservative politician, said it was unlikely a peace agreement could be reached unless there was a combination of military assistance and diplomacy, so that the Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine faced tougher Ukrainian resistance. And Malcolm Rifkind, the former British foreign secretary and conservative politician, said it was unlikely that a peace agreement could be reached unless there was a combination of military assistance and diplomacy, so that the Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine faced tougher Ukrainian resistance.
The pointed exchanges laid bare the divisions within the West’s ranks and did not provide a sense of how the United States and its European allies hoped to fashion a common strategy that might persuade President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to honor an agreement that was negotiated in Minsk in September. The agreement called for a cease-fire and the removal of Russian weapons and forces from eastern Ukraine.The pointed exchanges laid bare the divisions within the West’s ranks and did not provide a sense of how the United States and its European allies hoped to fashion a common strategy that might persuade President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to honor an agreement that was negotiated in Minsk in September. The agreement called for a cease-fire and the removal of Russian weapons and forces from eastern Ukraine.
Ms. Merkel did not say if she had made any headway in her talks in Moscow on Friday with Mr. Putin and the French president, François Hollande, who has also opposed arming the Ukrainians but is eager to fulfill an existing contract to sell warships to Russia if the crisis eases.Ms. Merkel did not say if she had made any headway in her talks in Moscow on Friday with Mr. Putin and the French president, François Hollande, who has also opposed arming the Ukrainians but is eager to fulfill an existing contract to sell warships to Russia if the crisis eases.
Ms. Merkel drew parallels to the containment policy that brought an end to the Cold War and suggested that a prolonged period of economic sanctions was the best strategy, though one, she acknowledged, that might not work in the end.Ms. Merkel drew parallels to the containment policy that brought an end to the Cold War and suggested that a prolonged period of economic sanctions was the best strategy, though one, she acknowledged, that might not work in the end.
“We have no guarantees that President Putin will do what we expect him to do,” she said, conceding that Russian violations of the Minsk agreement on Ukraine have been “very disillusioning, very disappointing.” But given the imbalance in forces between Russia and Ukraine, she said, “I do think that military means will lead to more victims” and would not produce the West’s desired outcome. “We have no guarantees that President Putin will do what we expect him to do,” she said, conceding that Russian violations of the Minsk agreement have been “very disillusioning, very disappointing.” But given the imbalance in forces between Russia and Ukraine, she said, “I do think that military means will lead to more victims” and not produce the West’s desired outcome.
Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican who has argued forcefully for weapons deliveries to Ukraine, summed up his reaction to Ms. Merkel’s speech with one word: “Foolishness.”Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican who has argued forcefully for weapons deliveries to Ukraine, summed up his reaction to Ms. Merkel’s speech with one word: “Foolishness.”
Mr. McCain said that unless the West beefed up its support to Ukraine, Mr. Putin could next seize the port of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine with a view to building a land bridge from Russia proper to Crimea, which the Kremlin annexed last March. “I can assure you that he will not stop until he has to pay a much higher price,” said Mr. McCain, who leads the Senate Armed Services Committee. Mr. McCain said that unless the West beefed up its support to Ukraine, Mr. Putin could next seize the port of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine with a view to building a land bridge from Russia proper to Crimea, which the Kremlin annexed last March. “I can assure you that he will not stop until he has to pay a much higher price,” Mr. McCain said.
Mr. McCain’s comments about the chancellor, made on German soil, were viewed as insulting by German officials. Mr. Graham, meanwhile, essentially accused her of appeasement for refusing to give sufficient support to Ukrainians who wish to fight the Russians and who were encouraged by the European Union to seize a different future.Mr. McCain’s comments about the chancellor, made on German soil, were viewed as insulting by German officials. Mr. Graham, meanwhile, essentially accused her of appeasement for refusing to give sufficient support to Ukrainians who wish to fight the Russians and who were encouraged by the European Union to seize a different future.
“There’s always a risk” in matters of life and death, Mr. Graham said. But “when people are struggling to be free, you help them to the extent you can.” “There’s always a risk” in matters of life and death, Mr. Graham said. But, he said, “when people are struggling to be free, you help them to the extent you can.”
After her appearance, Ms. Merkel met with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and President Petro O. Poroshenko of Ukraine.After her appearance, Ms. Merkel met with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and President Petro O. Poroshenko of Ukraine.
Economic sanctions have so failed to dissuade the Russians from intervening in Ukraine. Since the Minsk agreement was negotiated, Russian-backed separatists have gained 500 square miles and taken the airport at Donetsk. Economic sanctions have so failed to dissuade the Russians from intervening in Ukraine. Since the Minsk agreement was negotiated, the separatists have gained 500 square miles and taken the airport at Donetsk.
Germany, France and Britain are in one camp, which holds that economic sanctions needs more time. The Obama administration is still debating what to do.Germany, France and Britain are in one camp, which holds that economic sanctions needs more time. The Obama administration is still debating what to do.
The incoming defense secretary, Ashton B. Carter, has said he is inclined to provide arms to the Ukrainians. And Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, the NATO commander, told the conference on Friday that the delivery of defensive weapons to Ukraine should not be ruled out if economic sanctions and diplomatic efforts failed to persuade the Russians to honor the Minsk agreement.The incoming defense secretary, Ashton B. Carter, has said he is inclined to provide arms to the Ukrainians. And Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, the NATO commander, told the conference on Friday that the delivery of defensive weapons to Ukraine should not be ruled out if economic sanctions and diplomatic efforts failed to persuade the Russians to honor the Minsk agreement.
The White House has been much more cautious, and President Obama is waiting until Ms. Merkel visits Washington on Monday before deciding.The White House has been much more cautious, and President Obama is waiting until Ms. Merkel visits Washington on Monday before deciding.
So far, the Obama administration has committed itself to providing $118 million for training and nonlethal equipment for Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, State Border Guard Service and National Guard. Only half of that aid has actually been delivered. The United States is also preparing plans for $120 million in additional nonlethal training and equipment. So far, the Obama administration has committed itself to providing $118 million for training and nonlethal equipment for Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, State Border Guard Service and National Guard. The United States is also preparing plans for $120 million in additional nonlethal training and equipment.
But faced with continued gains by Russian-backed separatists, the Obama administration has begun to weigh whether to send antitank missiles, reconnaissance drones, counter-battery radars and other defensive arms and equipment to Ukraine.But faced with continued gains by Russian-backed separatists, the Obama administration has begun to weigh whether to send antitank missiles, reconnaissance drones, counter-battery radars and other defensive arms and equipment to Ukraine.
The German and French initiative this week emerged in response to reports that lethal assistance was now on the table in Washington. Ms. Merkel called Mr. Putin about the crisis, and the Russian president sent a letter to the German and French leaders with his ideas.The German and French initiative this week emerged in response to reports that lethal assistance was now on the table in Washington. Ms. Merkel called Mr. Putin about the crisis, and the Russian president sent a letter to the German and French leaders with his ideas.
Western officials said Mr. Putin’s plan was a non-starter, because it reportedly set new, more expansionary boundary lines for separatist-held eastern Ukraine and proposed legal autonomy for those regions.Western officials said Mr. Putin’s plan was a non-starter, because it reportedly set new, more expansionary boundary lines for separatist-held eastern Ukraine and proposed legal autonomy for those regions.
But on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius of France called Mr. Kerry to let him know that Germany and France were preparing a counterproposal. The Americans insisted that the Europeans discuss their ideas with Kiev, and on Friday, after meeting with President Poroshenko, Ms. Merkel and Mr. Hollande flew to Moscow to meet Mr. Putin. On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius of France called Mr. Kerry to let him know that Germany and France were preparing a counterproposal. The Americans insisted that the Europeans discuss their ideas with Kiev, and on Friday, after meeting with Mr. Poroshenko, Ms. Merkel and Mr. Hollande flew to Moscow to see Mr. Putin.
The Germans and French have said little about their initiative and how it relates to the agreement that was reached in Minsk in September. That agreement imposed a cease-fire, called for the removal of Russian weapons and troops from eastern Ukraine and re-established Ukraine’s eastern border with Russia, which Moscow has effectively violated with its arms shipments and troop movements.The Germans and French have said little about their initiative and how it relates to the agreement that was reached in Minsk in September. That agreement imposed a cease-fire, called for the removal of Russian weapons and troops from eastern Ukraine and re-established Ukraine’s eastern border with Russia, which Moscow has effectively violated with its arms shipments and troop movements.
One German official, who asked not to be identified, said Friday that the Minsk agreement would be an “anchor point” but also stressed it was important to be realistic about the military situation on the ground, hinting that the separatists might need to be allotted more than territory than was envisioned under the Minsk agreement. One German official, who asked not to be identified, said the Minsk agreement would be an “anchor point” but also stressed the need to be realistic about the military situation, hinting that the separatists might need to be allotted more territory than was envisioned under the Minsk agreement.
Sergey V. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, delivered a tough address that was also redolent of the Cold War. He said that he expected the discussions Mr. Putin had with Ms. Merkel and Mr. Hollande to continue and that there were “good grounds for optimism.” Sergey V. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, delivered an address that was also redolent of the Cold War. He said that he expected the discussions Mr. Putin had with Ms. Merkel and Mr. Hollande to continue and that there were “good grounds for optimism.” But there was little in his address that suggested how common ground might be found. He accused the United States of turning a “blind eye to Ukrainian abuses” and complained that the West had supported an “anti-constitutional coup d’état.”
But there was little in his address that suggested how common ground might be found. He accused the United States of turning a “blind eye to Ukrainian abuses” and complained that the West had supported an “anti-constitutional coup d’état.”
Mr. Lavrov also reminded the audience of the Russian-Georgian war of 2008, which Moscow says was begun by the president of Georgia at the time, Mikheil Saakashvili. It left pro-Russian forces in charge of a sizable slice of what Georgia saw as its territory. “You know how that ended,” Mr. Lavrov said.Mr. Lavrov also reminded the audience of the Russian-Georgian war of 2008, which Moscow says was begun by the president of Georgia at the time, Mikheil Saakashvili. It left pro-Russian forces in charge of a sizable slice of what Georgia saw as its territory. “You know how that ended,” Mr. Lavrov said.