US and Europe dissatisfied with Russia’s commitment to end tension in Ukraine
Amid speculations that war is emerging between United States of America and EUurope because of Ukraine, the US today addressed the issue by saying that both parties have same positions when it comes to crisis in Ukraine.
In her remarks while in visit in Portugal, Assistant Secretary Victortia Nuland for Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs underscored that US and Europe both are dissatisfied with with Russia’s implementation of the Geneva Agreement of less than two weeks.
In fact, Ms Nuland highlighted both parties do not see the commitment that they promised to make to help stabilize Ukraine and, on the contrary, they are playing a negative, destabilizing role.
With Russia’s reluctancy to ease the tension in Ukraine, Ms. Nuland said there have to be costs and both have imposed fresh sanctions.
Amid the commitments made by Russia to avoid further escalation in Ukraine, the United States of America said Russia has otherwise refused to take a single concrete step in the right direction to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.
In his remarks in Washington DC, US Secretary of State Secretary Kerry said the United States, the European Union, Russia, and Ukraine met in Geneva.
There were agreement by all sides to refrain from violence, intimidation, and taking provocative actions in Ukraine.
However Secretary Kerry highlighted that it is clear that only one side, one country, is keeping its word. And that is Ukraine.
On the other, Russia continued its destabilizing activities.
Russia not keeping its promises to resolve the Ukrainian crisis
According to Secretary Kerry, Russia has refused to take a single concrete step in the right direction.
He said not a single Russian official, not one, has publicly gone on television in Ukraine and called on the separatists to support the Geneva agreement, to support the stand-down, to give up their weapons, and get out of the Ukrainian buildings.
Instead, Russia Today program, has been deployed to promote to promote President Putin’s fantasy about what is playing out on the ground.
The Russians almost spend full time devoted to this effort to propagandize and to distort what is happening or not happening in Ukraine.
Secretary Kerry underlined that Russia continues to fund, coordinate, and fuel a heavily armed separatist movement in Donetsk.
Commitments in Geneva
Secretary Kerry highlighted that EU, Russia, Ukraine and US have to refrain from violence, intimidation, and taking provocative actions.
The parties also agreed that illegal groups would lay down their arms and that, in exchange for amnesty.
All parties agreed that the OSCE would report from the ground whether the rights, security, and dignity of Ukrainian citizens was being protected.
Russia will face the hard consequences
According to Secretary Kerry, following threatening movement of Russian troops right up to Ukraine’s border, the US made it clear that if Russia continues in this direction, it will not just be a grave mistake, it will be an expensive mistake.
He added that even Prime Minister Medvedev has alluded to the cost Russia is already paying and even President Putin has acknowledged it.
Secretary Kerry underscored that the world will remain united for Ukraine. He said the window to change course is closing.
He pointed out that if Russia chooses the path of de-escalation, the international community will welcome it. In contrast, if Russia does not, the world will make sure that the cost for Russia will only grow.
US rejects Russia’s disclaim and propaganda
With the recent seizure of buildings in six eastern Ukrainian towns earlier this week, the United States of America slammed Russian disinformation and propaganda that it is not invading Ukraine.
According to media reports, armed pro-Russian militants seized government buildings in a coordinated operation conducted in six cities in eastern Ukraine. Takeovers have occurred simultaneously in multiple locations in eastern Ukraine: Donetsk, Slavyansk, Krasnyi Liman, Kramatorsk, Chervonoarmiysk, and Druzhkovka.
Focusing on Facts
US has underscored that the incidents on Ukraine reaffirmed the tactics Russian forces used in the early stages of the Crimea invasion.
In addition, amid claims from officials of the Russian federation on any intention of occupying or invading, Ms. Power said the whole world now knows that they weren’t protecting minorities at all.
However, the fact is that many of the armed units that were outfitted in bullet-proof vests, camouflage uniforms with insignia removed.
The armed units, some wearing black and orange St. George’s ribbons associated with Russian Victory Day celebrations, raised Russian and separatist flags over seized buildings and have called for referendums and union with Russia.
