Obama and Merkel Express Unity in Seeking Diplomatic Solution to Russia-Ukraine Crisis
Source: New York Times - Europe
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 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.
Nevertheless, 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.” He said that had prompted him to ask his team to “look at all options,” including providing an array of defensive weapons to bolster Ukraine’s forces.
Most European countries, including Germany and France, oppose sending arms, arguing that doing so would only make the conflict worse.
"I have not made a decision about that yet", MR. Obama said.
“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.”
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/10/world/europe/european-foreign-ministers-postpone-russia-sanctions-to-allow-talks.html?_r=0
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