U.S. doesn't want to be 'handcuffed' to Ukraine agreement

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

POLITICS | Wed Jun 14, 2017 | 2:26pm EDT

U.S. doesn't want to be 'handcuffed' to Ukraine agreement

By Patricia Zengerle | WASHINGTON

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson signaled on Wednesday that the United States could back away from the Minsk agreement to end fighting in Ukraine, telling a congressional hearing the Trump administration does not want to be "handcuffed."

Tillerson said it was possible that the Ukrainian government could come to an agreement with Moscow outside the structure of the 2015 accord.

"I think it is important that we be given sufficient flexibility to achieve the Minsk objectives. It is very possible that the government of Ukraine and the government of Russia could come to a satisfactory resolution through some structure other than Minsk," Tillerson told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"My caution is I wouldn't want to have ourselves handcuffed to Minsk if it turns out the parties decide to settle this through another, a different, agreement," he said.

The Minsk peace agreement, brokered by France and Germany and signed by Russia and Ukraine in February 2015, calls for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line and constitutional reform to give eastern Ukraine more autonomy.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-diplomacy-tillerson-idUSKBN19528J

[MedusaX]

1. WoW..Might as well put a bow on Ukraine since this seems like a gift for Vlad...

I wonder if the Russia Sanction related amendments tacked onto the Iran bill address this possibility.......
Or if Tillerson is bringing up this Minsk nonsense because of the senate vote......


https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2017/06/14/senate-overwhelmingly-votes-to-impose-new-sanctions-on-russia-over-election-meddling.html



Senate overwhelmingly votes to impose new sanctions on Russia over election meddling

Snip

To take effect, the measure would also have to pass the House of Representatives and be signed into law by Trump. If Trump objected, some of its backers said they expected enough congressional support to override a veto.

"Today the Senate has finally confronted Russia for interfering in our elections. This bipartisan amendment is the sanctions regime that the Kremlin deserves for its actions," said Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a leader of the push for the legislation.

The only two "no" votes on the Russia bill were from Republican Senators Mike Leeand Rand Paul.

Snip

[flotsam]

2. And by "handcuffed"

he means being forced to keep promises by either the US government or personally...