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Kerry Says Further Sanctions on Russia Will Be Discussed Over Ukraine Kerry Raises Prospect of More Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukraine
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — Nearly one week after a cease-fire was supposed to have gone into effect in Ukraine, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday that he and his British counterpart would discuss the imposition of additional sanctions in response to Russia’s “brazen” violations of the agreement.LONDON — Nearly one week after a cease-fire was supposed to have gone into effect in Ukraine, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday that he and his British counterpart would discuss the imposition of additional sanctions in response to Russia’s “brazen” violations of the agreement.
“We are talking about additional sanctions, additional efforts,” Mr. Kerry said at the start of his meeting with Philip Hammond, the British foreign secretary.“We are talking about additional sanctions, additional efforts,” Mr. Kerry said at the start of his meeting with Philip Hammond, the British foreign secretary.
“We know to a certainty what Russia has been providing to the separatists,” Mr. Kerry said. “We’re not going to sit there and be part of this kind of extraordinarily craven behavior at the expense of the sovereignty and integrity of a nation.”“We know to a certainty what Russia has been providing to the separatists,” Mr. Kerry said. “We’re not going to sit there and be part of this kind of extraordinarily craven behavior at the expense of the sovereignty and integrity of a nation.”
The United States has expressed alarm over the past week about Russia’s role in supporting the separatists in eastern Ukraine.The United States has expressed alarm over the past week about Russia’s role in supporting the separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Last week, the State Department said Russia was not only providing the separatists with weapons but also using its own forces to shell and rocket Debaltseve, a strategically important town that Ukrainian troops were forced to abandon.Last week, the State Department said Russia was not only providing the separatists with weapons but also using its own forces to shell and rocket Debaltseve, a strategically important town that Ukrainian troops were forced to abandon.
With Ukraine’s loss of Debaltseve, there is growing concern in Western countries that Mariupol, a port city in eastern Ukraine, could be the separatists’ next objective. Mr. Kerry echoed those concerns on Saturday, warning that Russia had been involved in “land grabbing.”With Ukraine’s loss of Debaltseve, there is growing concern in Western countries that Mariupol, a port city in eastern Ukraine, could be the separatists’ next objective. Mr. Kerry echoed those concerns on Saturday, warning that Russia had been involved in “land grabbing.”
The outrage in Western capitals, however, has yet to lead to a package of tough, new measures like economic sanctions or the shipment of defensive arms to the Ukrainian military. And it remains to be seen whether the United States and its allies can forge an effective response to Russia’s support of the separatists.The outrage in Western capitals, however, has yet to lead to a package of tough, new measures like economic sanctions or the shipment of defensive arms to the Ukrainian military. And it remains to be seen whether the United States and its allies can forge an effective response to Russia’s support of the separatists.
Mr. Hammond, in his comments, also condemned Russia’s “continued aggression” while emphasizing the need to maintain the close “alignment” between European and American strategies on Ukraine.Mr. Hammond, in his comments, also condemned Russia’s “continued aggression” while emphasizing the need to maintain the close “alignment” between European and American strategies on Ukraine.
Britain, France and Germany have been opposed to sending arms to Ukraine’s forces, arguing that such a move would lead to an escalation of the fighting.Britain, France and Germany have been opposed to sending arms to Ukraine’s forces, arguing that such a move would lead to an escalation of the fighting.
The Obama administration has been weighing whether to send defensive weapons to Ukraine. Proponents have argued that sending weapons to the Ukrainians would dissuade the Russians and the pro-Russian separatists from trying to take more territory.The Obama administration has been weighing whether to send defensive weapons to Ukraine. Proponents have argued that sending weapons to the Ukrainians would dissuade the Russians and the pro-Russian separatists from trying to take more territory.
But the White House has also allowed Germany and France to take the lead in the diplomacy with Russia over Ukraine. And the Obama administration’s desire to close ranks with the Europeans, along with its cautious approach toward Russia, may be pushing the issue of arms to the back burner.But the White House has also allowed Germany and France to take the lead in the diplomacy with Russia over Ukraine. And the Obama administration’s desire to close ranks with the Europeans, along with its cautious approach toward Russia, may be pushing the issue of arms to the back burner.
Other topics on the agenda between Mr. Hammond and Mr. Kerry included the turmoil in Libya, the nuclear negotiations with Iran and efforts to counter the Islamic State militants who have taken over much of eastern Syria and northern and western Iraq. In Moscow and other Russian cities, thousands of government supporters yelling anti-American and anti-Ukrainian slogans marched through the streets on Saturday. Protesters carrying flags and banners filed past the Bolshoi Theater in the Russian capital and assembled for a rally at nearby Revolution Square.
This month, a British parliamentary committee complained that Britain had been playing a “strikingly modest” role in the coalition’s struggle against the Islamic State militant group. “There will be no Maidan in Russia!” the crowd chanted, referring to months of protests last year on the Maidan, Kiev’s main square, that led to the departure of President Viktor F. Yanukovych. More than 100 civilians died there in three days of shootings that government forces and protesters blame each other for initiating.
The official narrative as reported by state-run television in Russia, and thus accepted by most Russians, is that the uprising in Ukraine last year was an American-engineered coup, aided by Ukrainian Nazis, and fomented to overthrow Mr. Yanukovych, a pro-Russian president.
“Maidan is a smile of an American ambassador sitting at his mansion,” one of the speakers in Moscow said, whipping up the crowd, which the police put at 40,000. “Feeling happy watching how brother kills brother.”
Mr. Yanukovych, who fled to Russia by helicopter after his security forces evaporated, has said little since.
But he broke his silence to give an interview to Russia’s main television channel that will be broadcast on Monday. In excerpts posted by Channel One online, he said he was ready to return to Ukraine.
“As soon as there is a possibility for me to return, I will return and will do everything I can to make life better in Ukraine,” Mr. Yanukovych said. “Today, the main task is to stop the war.”
In London, topics on the agenda between Mr. Hammond and Mr. Kerry included the turmoil in Libya, the nuclear negotiations with Iran and efforts to counter the Islamic State militants who have taken over much of eastern Syria and northern and western Iraq.
On Friday, a British parliamentary committee complained that Britain had been playing a “strikingly modest” role in the coalition’s struggle against the Islamic State militant group.
Britain has carried out only 6 percent of the coalition’s airstrikes in Iraq, the committee noted in a report, and has not played an important role in training Iraq’s forces.Britain has carried out only 6 percent of the coalition’s airstrikes in Iraq, the committee noted in a report, and has not played an important role in training Iraq’s forces.
The panel reported that Britain had only three military personnel outside the Kurdish region of Iraq, compared with Australia’s 400, Italy’s 280 and Spain’s 300.The panel reported that Britain had only three military personnel outside the Kurdish region of Iraq, compared with Australia’s 400, Italy’s 280 and Spain’s 300.