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European Foreign Ministers Postpone Russia Sanctions to Allow Talks Obama and Merkel Express Unity in Seeking Diplomatic Solution to Russia-Ukraine Crisis
(about 3 hours later)
BRUSSELS — Hoping that diplomacy can still calm an escalating conflict in eastern Ukraine and avert a rift with the United States over whether to send arms to Ukraine, European foreign ministers agreed on Monday to postpone imposing a new round of sanctions against Russia in an effort to nudge forward talks with Moscow. WASHINGTON — President Obama said he was weighing providing lethal weapons to Ukraine to help Kiev defend against Russia’s aggression if diplomatic efforts fail to defuse the tensions there, even as he said the United States remained united with Europe in maintaining sanctions against Moscow.
The ministers decided not to take action until after a possible meeting later this week among the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. “The prospect for a military solution to this problem has always been low,” Mr. Obama said, given the extraordinarily powerful military that is at the disposal of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, and the length of Russia’s border with Ukraine.
The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, told reporters on Monday after a morning of talks that the ministers had not rescinded an earlier decision to add more individuals to the sanctions list, with asset freezes and bans on travel. But he said the decision would not be put into effect this week as originally planned. Still, at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House Monday, the president said it was clear a set of steep sanctions against Russia “has not yet dissuaded Mr. Putin from following the course that he is on,” prompting him to ask his team to “look at all options,” including providing lethal weapons to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
European governments decided to expand the list after pro-Russian rebels mounted a rocket attack late last month on the port city of Mariupol, killing about 30 Ukrainian civilians. The sanctions list currently includes more than 130 Russians and Ukrainian separatist leaders backed by Russia. “I have not made a decision about that yet,” Mr. Obama said.
“The principle of sanctions for Mariupol is maintained, but their application will be done in light of the situation on the ground,” Mr. Fabius said. “We will assess the situation again by next Monday.” Most European countries, including Germany and France, oppose sending arms, arguing that doing so would only make the conflict worse.
He said the delay would give a flurry of diplomatic initiatives time to bear fruit. “We are not at all assured of a result,” he said. “We must remain cautious.” “We continue to pursue a diplomatic solution, although we have suffered a lot of setbacks,” Ms. Merkel said. “I’ve always said I don’t see a military solution to this conflict.”
The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine have tentatively agreed to meet on Wednesday in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. But it was unclear on Monday whether that meeting would actually take place. Mr. Fabius said he “hoped it would happen,” but added that “there is a lot of work to be done” beforehand. The issue has threatened to cleave what has until now been a united front among the United States and its European allies over how to respond to the Ukrainian conflict, which has been stoked by a steady supply of weapons and soldiers from Russia.
Many European capitals share Washington’s distrust of Mr. Putin, but continue to hope that the pressure of economic sanctions will lead him to accept some sort of settlement.
But Mr. Obama and Ms. Merkel worked to project a unified front on the issue.
“Russian aggression has only reinforced the unity between the United States, Germany and other European allies, the president said. “There’s going to continue to be a strong, unified response between the United States and Europe — that’s not going to change,” he said.
The two leaders spoke after European foreign ministers agreed to postpone imposing a new round of sanctions against Russia, hoping to avert a rift with the United States over sending arms.
European governments decided to expand the list of sanctioned individuals who are facing asset freezes and travel bans after pro-Russian rebels mounted a rocket attack late last month on the port city of Mariupol, killing about 30 Ukrainian civilians.
The sanctions apply currently to more than 130 Russians and Ukrainian separatist leaders backed by Russia.
The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine have tentatively agreed to meet on Wednesday in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. But it was unclear on Monday whether that meeting would actually take place.
Speaking to reporters early Monday in Brussels, the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, also expressed uncertainty over what he called the “hopefully possible summit in Minsk.”Speaking to reporters early Monday in Brussels, the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, also expressed uncertainty over what he called the “hopefully possible summit in Minsk.”
In Berlin, Mr. Steinmeier’s spokesman, Martin Schäfer, said that preparatory talks for the summit would start Monday afternoon in Berlin, but that it was not yet clear even whether the national leaders themselves or lower-level officials would take part.In Berlin, Mr. Steinmeier’s spokesman, Martin Schäfer, said that preparatory talks for the summit would start Monday afternoon in Berlin, but that it was not yet clear even whether the national leaders themselves or lower-level officials would take part.
“We can only reiterate that we do not know whether this will go well,” Mr. Schäfer said. “We don’t know whether it’s possible to reach a political deal.”“We can only reiterate that we do not know whether this will go well,” Mr. Schäfer said. “We don’t know whether it’s possible to reach a political deal.”
As Europe pushes for a diplomatic settlement to the Ukraine crisis, the Obama administration is weighing whether to send arms to help Ukraine’s military counter an offensive by the pro-Russian rebels in the east. Most European countries, including Germany and France, oppose sending arms, arguing that doing so would only add fuel to the fire.As Europe pushes for a diplomatic settlement to the Ukraine crisis, the Obama administration is weighing whether to send arms to help Ukraine’s military counter an offensive by the pro-Russian rebels in the east. Most European countries, including Germany and France, oppose sending arms, arguing that doing so would only add fuel to the fire.
Even generally pro-American nations like the Netherlands are skeptical about the wisdom of sending weapons. “I don’t think it is the moment right now,” said the Dutch foreign minister, Bert Koenders. “We really need to come to a political solution.”Even generally pro-American nations like the Netherlands are skeptical about the wisdom of sending weapons. “I don’t think it is the moment right now,” said the Dutch foreign minister, Bert Koenders. “We really need to come to a political solution.”
The issue has threatened to divide what has until now been a united front among the United States and its European allies over how to respond to the Ukrainian conflict, which has been stoked by a steady supply of weapons and soldiers from Russia. Many European capitals share Washington’s distrust of President Vladimir V. Putin, but continue to hope that the pressure of economic sanctions will lead him to accept some sort of settlement. The issue has threatened to divide what has until now been a united front among the United States and its European allies over how to respond to the Ukrainian conflict, which has been stoked by a steady supply of weapons and soldiers from Russia. Many European capitals share Washington’s distrust of President Putin, but continue to hope that the pressure of economic sanctions will lead him to accept some sort of settlement.
Mr. Fabius, the French foreign minister, said that any future settlement must be based “as far as possible” on the terms of a stillborn truce reached last September in Minsk. But he acknowledged that “there have been certain evolutions on the ground” that make a settlement difficult. Russian-backed separatists have captured more territory since September and have said they will never agree to retreat to their previous positions.Mr. Fabius, the French foreign minister, said that any future settlement must be based “as far as possible” on the terms of a stillborn truce reached last September in Minsk. But he acknowledged that “there have been certain evolutions on the ground” that make a settlement difficult. Russian-backed separatists have captured more territory since September and have said they will never agree to retreat to their previous positions.
The sanctions delay, Mr. Fabius said, will give the 28 nations of the European Union time to review Russia’s willingness to work toward a peaceful solution. He said a key issue was whether a firm agreement could be reached to withdraw heavy weapons behind specified lines. Previous agreements have all collapsed. The sanctions delay, Mr. Fabius said, will give the 28 nations of the European Union time to review Russia’s willingness to work toward a peaceful solution. He said a critical issue was whether a firm agreement could be reached to withdraw heavy weapons behind specified lines. Previous agreements have all collapsed.
More hawkish countries, notably Britain, have argued against a pause in sanctions. “Until we see Russia complying on the ground, we can’t relieve the pressure,” the British foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, said on Monday. “We need not just words but deeds on the ground.”More hawkish countries, notably Britain, have argued against a pause in sanctions. “Until we see Russia complying on the ground, we can’t relieve the pressure,” the British foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, said on Monday. “We need not just words but deeds on the ground.”