Putin signals he will work with Ukraine leader, but blasts U.S.

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin appeared to hold out an olive branch on Friday by suggesting he will work with whomever is elected Ukraine's next president and calling for better ties with the West.

But at the same time he fiercely criticized U.S. foreign and economic policy.

In a speech to foreign and Russian businessmen at Russia's answer to the Davos World Economic Forum on the shores of its elegant former imperial capital, Putin acknowledged that U.S. and European Union sanctions were hurting the country's economy.

"We are not planning any self-isolation," Putin said, proposing dialogue and cooperation to show that Russia is open for business and, perhaps, to head off more sanctions.

"We hope that common sense ... will prompt our European and U.S. partners to work with Russia."



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/23/us-russia-forum-putin-sanctions-idUSBREA4M0F220140523

[RobertEarl]

1. Putin needs to undersatnd some things

First: The US has an investment in Ukraine. We've dumped billions on them.

Two: We are the world's greatest empire and what we say goes.

Three: Our last president made sure the price of oil was never higher which has made billionaires out of a few Russian oligarchs who control the world's largest reservoir of oil in the world in Russia. Russia owes the US.

[Cali_Democrat]

2. Russia is no longer the Soviet Union

They cannot isolate themselves economically like they could in the past.

The US and EU can do major economic damage to Russia and Putin knows this.

Hopefully cooler heads prevail.

[karynnj]

3. Translated - the sanctions and diplomacy have, for the most part, worked

Russia will end up with Crimea. Ukraine will likely have connections to both Russia and the EU, which is what they wanted in the first place.

This is not something where there will be congratulations to anyone -- except the winner in Ukraine. If things go as they now seem, this will be a vindication for the Obama team ignoring the McCain's and using diplomacy and sanctions. Russia is ignoring that the US DID get the EU nation's to go further than their self interest had indicated.

I suspect that Russia had a role in having the former President flee to Russia asking for their help. Remember, this happened just after he signed the agreement with the EU. Whose advantage was it to have him out at that point? It was a move that created an intolerable situation in Kiev. They could not ignore that the President left. It was that move that led to the Rada voting an interim government and setting up this Sunday's election - nearly as soon as possible.

Russia than lied about intending to annex Crimea - lied about their military being there (beyond those already stationed there) and then lied again about the goal of annexing. After that they have followed the same pattern of lying on whether they had troops on the border.

As a player on the international stage, this has likely not helped their image. So, while they gained Crimea, they are firmly seen as not being able to regather the old USSR.

[Cha]

4. Exactly. Thank you for your analysis, karynVT!

[davidpdx]

5. Dead on

I also doubt Crimea will be turned back over to Ukrainian authority. The Russians have lost face by overthrowing a portion of one country and then threatening to overrun the rest of it. All we hear on DU is about how much the whole situation has been a miserable Obama failure. The truth is he didn't jump at invading another country like Bush did, but instead used the tools he had to put pressure on Russia to pull back. While the situation is far from over, I think it's likely to calm down over the coming months.

[dipsydoodle]

6. US Imposes Sanctions Against Russia to Gain Business Advantage in Europe – Putin

ST. PETERSBURG, May 23 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested on Friday that the United States planned to receive competitive advantages in trade and economic ties with Europe by insisting on sanctions against Russia.

“Insisting on imposing sanctions against Russia, I have the suspicion that maybe our American friends, and they’re pretty sophisticated guys, they, perhaps, even want to get certain competitive advantages in their trade and economic ties in Europe? I simply just don’t see, don’t understand any other incentive motives that are that serious or deep, but I hope that common sense prevails,” Putin said.

The US and EU have imposed sanctions against Russia in connection to its policy in Ukraine and the reunification of Crimea. The sanctions have so far remained targeted and consist of government-approved lists of individuals and companies facing visa bans and asset freezes.

http://en.ria.ru/world/20140523/190078539/US-Imposes-Sanctions-Against-Russia-to-Gain-Business-Advantage.html

[karynnj]

7. Note the progression - Putin SUGGESTS the US is using this for economic advantage

then RIA states it as fact in its headline. The fact is that some companies LOST sales due to the sanctions. One I remember is John Deere not being able to fulfill a Russian contract.

It is noteworthy that Putin, who had no problem lying directly to everyone about Crimea, whether they had military there and whether they would annex it -- then honoring the very soldiers who didn't exist has the grace to merely suggest this. (As the sanctions were hard for EU, this is also intended as a wedge.)

[bemildred]

8. Ukraine defends vote despite unrest, Putin pledges 'respect'

(Reuters) - Ukraine's interim government promised a clean presidential election on Sunday that would anchor the former Soviet state in the Western camp and show the world it would not be intimidated by Russia after weeks of violence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday he would respect the choice of the Ukrainian people and would work with the new authorities. Moscow wanted stability, he said.

In the eastern region where at least 20 people have been killed in the past few days, pro-Moscow separatists said on Saturday they did not recognize a vote organized by authorities in Kiev they say took power in a Western-backed coup and officials said many electoral districts would be out of action.

Electoral officials in the east were setting up polling stations but fearful of violence which may keep people at home.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/24/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA4M05420140524