Obama: Russian aggression strengthened the unity between the US and Germany – Polish Radio

CRISIS IN UKRAINE: SERVICE SPECIAL & gt; & gt; & gt;

Barack Obama and Angela Merkel assured on Monday about the unity of the United States and Germany to the conflict in the Ukraine and the continuation of diplomatic efforts to solve it. US leader warned that if diplomacy fails, consider the supply of arms to Kiev.

– The Russian aggression only strengthened the unity between the US and Germany and our allies in the world – President Barack Obama said at a joint press conference with the head of the German government after their talks at the White House.
Sanctions and conversation
Referring to the summit scheduled for Wednesday in Minsk with the participation of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, Obama stressed that the United States “further encouraged to find a diplomatic solution “the conflict in Ukraine. He assured that he agrees with Chancellor Angela Merkel that should be maintained sanctions against Russia, as long as this does not change course. He also emphasized that along with NATO allies the United States “will strengthen the presence of” belonging to a military alliance of countries of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as further assist financially in Ukraine, if the government in Kiev will implement economic and anti-corruption reforms.

Barack Obama said that Russia sent to the territory of Ukraine more tanks and artillery than there withdrew. He noted that Russia can not force change in the borders of Europe.

Obama for strengthening NATO presence in Eastern Europe

US President Barack Obama also stressed that agrees with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the continuation and strengthening of NATO strategy alliance presence in Eastern European countries.

“Russia violates the integrity of Ukraine”

Obama assured that the United States will continue diplomatic efforts for peace in Ukraine, together with NATO allies. – There is no doubt that Russia violates the territorial integrity of Ukraine, armor separatists – Barack Obama said.
US president announced further economic and financial assistance for Ukraine, supporting the construction of Kiev defense until Russia will cease to support the separatists.

Merkel and Obama on arms

When asked about a possible US arms supplies to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian government forces in the battle against the separatists supported by Russia to the east of the country, Obama admitted that this option could be considered, but only if diplomacy fails.
– If the bear diplomacy fail, it will consider all options to change the calculation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, including the supply of defensive weapons – he said. Stipulated that has not made its decision. He added that before making such a decision must consider “whether it is more likely that (the aid) will be effective or not.”
Merkel reiterated its negative opinion on arms deliveries to Ukraine, but assured that the US-EU alliance will continue, even if the two sides do not always agree.
German Chancellor admitted that so far there has been a failure to way to achieve a diplomatic solution to the conflict, Russia, Ukraine, because Moscow has not implemente d the September agreement with Minsk. But, as pointed out, even though it “sees no military solution to this conflict” and the need for further diplomatic efforts, even if they have to be repeated.
– Whenever we have a political conflicts, such as the one between Ukraine and Russia, it is better to take subsequent attempts to solve them (…). I personally have great remorse robiłabym myself if I did not take this test – said Merkel. She stressed that there is absolutely no guarantee that the latest diplomatic efforts, including Wednesday’s summit of leaders in the capital of Belarus, will succeed. Even if this does not happen, I will continue diplomatic efforts – announced.
Obama declared that “the prospect of a military solution” to the conflict in Ukraine has always been unlikely because Russia is simply a tremendous military advantage over Ukraine. But he admitted that previously imposed by the West on Russ ia sanctions, although they are painful for the Russian economy, “have not changed course” chosen by Putin. He expressed the hope that with time, along with rising costs, more and more Russians will see the “disastrous consequences” Putin’s policy, and then it will fit on a diplomatic solution.

The meeting of the delegation of Germany and the United States; PAP / EPA / Guido Bergmann / Bundesregierung

Tuesday talks in Minsk on Wednesday meeting of Channel Four

In Minsk will be held on Tuesday, Contact Group talks for the regulation of the situation in Ukraine. They will be preceded on Wednesday (11 February), meeting in the Belarusian capital of the leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine.
In previous contact group meetings were attended by the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabow and representatives of the OSCE and the separatists of the Donbass. It was developed a contact group signed in September last year, the protocol and memorandum, which became the basis of the truce between the pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian troops in the Donbas. It was then affected.
Igor Plotnicki, the self-proclaimed leader of the People’s Republic of Lugano said that Tuesday’s talks will be difficult. – Our principle – not a step backwards – Plotnicki said. We do not know whether to Minsk separatist leaders come from Donetsk and Luhansk, or just thei r representatives.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makey reported that recently Minsk Russia and Ukraine presented its proposals for a settlement of the crisis in the Donbas. We do not know what they contain and whether they will be discussed today.

PAP / IAR / agkm

Video: German Chancellor Angela Merkel came to Washington

Obama: Russian aggression strengthened the unity between the US and Germany – Polish Radio