A Diplomatic Victory, and Affirmation, for Putin

[jakeXT]

By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN MAY 15, 2015

...

The subtle shift by the Obama administration reflects a pragmatic recognition that the policy of isolating Russia, economically and diplomatically, is failing, analysts say.

“Americans realized that sanctions against Russia did not quite work,” Viktor A. Kremenyuk, deputy director of the Institute of the U.S.A. and Canada, a research organization that is part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said in an interview with Svobodnaya Pressa, a news site here.

“They thought Russia had become so much a part of the world market and depended on it so much that it would be enough to frighten Moscow a little to make it surrender,” Mr. Kremenyuk said. “In reality, it’s all different. Russia not only withstood sanctions but even introduced countersanctions and demonstrated that it is not going to turn off this road.”

He added: “The U.S. cannot simply capitulate. This is why the policy change begins with statements like, ‘We shall think,’ ‘We shall assess the situation.’ In fact, this is a cautious departure from the policy of sanctions

...

Michael R. Gordon contributed reporting from Washington.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/16/world/europe/a-diplomatic-victory-and-affirmation-for-putin.html?_r=0

Michael R. Gordon and David Herszenhorn ?

[bemildred]

1. American Envoy to Hold Talks With Russians on Peace Deal for Ukraine

MOSCOW — The United States will deepen its involvement in negotiating a solution to the Ukraine crisis, with a senior State Department official, Victoria J. Nuland, to hold a day of talks on Monday with Russian officials on buttressing a rickety peace agreement.

Until now, the peace agreement reached in February by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France has curbed the worst violence between the government forces and the Russian-supported separatists in southeastern Ukraine. Fighting continues at various flash points, however, and work on carrying out political and economic measures in the agreement, negotiated in Minsk, Belarus, has sputtered.

“There is less firing, but none of us should be satisfied with the results,” Ms. Nuland said Saturday at a news conference in Kiev, Ukraine. “So that’s why we want to push harder on all of these things and see what we can achieve in the coming days and weeks.”

She arrived in Moscow for negotiations just days after Secretary of State John Kerry met for four hours with President Vladimir V. Putin in the southern resort of Sochi to discuss Ukraine, the Iranian nuclear negotiations and the Syrian conflict, among other issues. It was the first visit by a senior American official since the Ukraine crisis erupted in February 2014.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/18/world/europe/american-envoy-to-hold-talks-with-russians-on-peace-deal-for-ukraine.html

[KoKo]

2. Duck & Cover......

Nuland is back on the scene.

That's why I wonder why Pepe Escobar was so Optimistic in his latest report.

Seems like "Same Old...Same Old" back again...if Nuland is in the picture.

Unless "Someone Read her a Riot Act" that U.S. Foreign Policy has changed? I doubt that also.

Seems there are differing stories out of Sochi and NATO about all of this in the Reporting.

I guess it comes down to: "We Shall See" as things move forward. For those of us who even bother to read and to care about our U.S Foriegn Policy which drags down but RULES the REST of our ECONOMY.

[bemildred]

3. It means the war will end.

And that's good for everybody. I believe Nuland has new marching orders.

The result will be something between the frozen conflict scenario as in Georgia and a "unified but divided" government, if that makes sense? Something like Lebanon maybe, different parties still angry with each other but agreed that fighting is stupid.

And I don't think the Kiev government is likely to last long, as least with the present leadership. But I've been waiting for them to be thrown out for some time now, so ...

Yeah, "we shall see".

[KoKo]

4. Thanks.......

the "back and forth speak" does confuse one.

And, I agree with you on this, you say. Because the "Color Revolutions" seem to have a hugely poor track record:

As you say:

And I don't think the Kiev government is likely to last long, as least with the present leadership. But I've been waiting for them to be thrown out for some time now, so ...

But, as you are aware, there are many Oligarchs from competing Nations involved in what is going on in Ukraine.

I do wonder about Biden's failed son....who is managing his new position in Ukraine Oil with Kerry's stepson.... It's got to be tricky going for both of them.. But, then...Wall Street Interests have a much better track record than the "Color Revolutions." So...it does remain.."We Shall See."

"Rooting for the Underdog" kind of wears the soul out for Truth & Justice Folks...but...it's always down to "Which Side Wins" and recalibrating. Let's forget about whose "Soul" takes a beating.

[bemildred]

5. Losing a war that was fairly stupid to start with is never good for your political career.

Witness the current political toxicity of the Bushes.

[KoKo]

6. Indeed...there is that......

We remain...hopeful.

[KoKo]

7. But...then there is this latest Crap..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141096030

Still....much is left to be exposed. The heated political climate might expose much that's been swept under the rug.