Ukraine crucial to Europes future, says US Europe envoy
The future of a free Europe hinges on Ukraine, the U.S.s top diplomat for Europe said Tuesday.
A Europe whole, free, and at peace rises or falls with Ukraine, Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, said during remarks at the Brookings Institution. Ukraines front line for freedom is ours as well.
Nulands warning comes as Russian-backed rebels in Ukraine continue to press an advance in the east of the country, unleashing full-scale war following a spotty five-month cease-fire.
The U.S. and EU blame Russia for supporting the rebels and supplying them with arms, training, and in some instances, boots on the ground. Moscow denies the claims.
Russias attempts to whitewash events in Ukraine, which nearly a year-ago overthrew Russia ally Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych following months of street protests, are losing traction, Nuland said.
They are not working beyond Russia, and they are increasingly not working in Russia, she said.
Rising inflation to the tune of 10 - 15 percent, $150 billion in capital flight from the country last year alone, $130 billion missing from Russias currency reserves, and the mysterious disappearances of Russian servicemen who never return from military service are some of the rising costs on Russia, Nuland said.
Their mothers and their wives are told not to ask too many questions if they want to receive full death benefits, she said of the servicemen.
Asked what would prompt the U.S. to provide Ukraine with lethal assistance, which it has so far reluctant to do, Nuland refrained from directly laying out conditions for such action, but said, If the restraint that others have shown is not matched, obviously wed have to review what were doing.
Amid Ukraines turmoil, Nuland cautioned NATO members to fulfill their financial commitments to the transatlantic alliance.
NATO members pledged to reverse course on defense cuts last September in Wales, but Some governments are already trying to slink off the hook, Nuland said.
Anadolu Agency
Nulands warning comes as Russian-backed rebels in Ukraine continue to press an advance in the east of the country, unleashing full-scale war following a spotty five-month cease-fire.
The U.S. and EU blame Russia for supporting the rebels and supplying them with arms, training, and in some instances, boots on the ground. Moscow denies the claims.
Russias attempts to whitewash events in Ukraine, which nearly a year-ago overthrew Russia ally Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych following months of street protests, are losing traction, Nuland said.
They are not working beyond Russia, and they are increasingly not working in Russia, she said.
Rising inflation to the tune of 10 - 15 percent, $150 billion in capital flight from the country last year alone, $130 billion missing from Russias currency reserves, and the mysterious disappearances of Russian servicemen who never return from military service are some of the rising costs on Russia, Nuland said.
Their mothers and their wives are told not to ask too many questions if they want to receive full death benefits, she said of the servicemen.
Asked what would prompt the U.S. to provide Ukraine with lethal assistance, which it has so far reluctant to do, Nuland refrained from directly laying out conditions for such action, but said, If the restraint that others have shown is not matched, obviously wed have to review what were doing.
Amid Ukraines turmoil, Nuland cautioned NATO members to fulfill their financial commitments to the transatlantic alliance.
NATO members pledged to reverse course on defense cuts last September in Wales, but Some governments are already trying to slink off the hook, Nuland said.
Anadolu Agency