BRUSSELS -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, during a news conference at a NATO foreign ministers conference on Dec. 2, says that he "completely and totally disagrees with any premature assumption" that American policy will not be successful in stopping Russia's war against Ukraine.
Kerry acknowledged that the American approach of relying on economic sanctions, rather than arming Ukraine as well, has failed to “change the behavior to date” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but he said that the sanctions need more time to work.
He also said that the Obama administration has not ruled out taking “a different direction” in Russian policy, saying that everything is “on the table” but that “no decision has been made and that’s not the direction we are moving in at the moment.”
“We have been very clear there is no military solution to the crisis,” Kerry said, noting that sanctions against apartheid in South Africa and against Iran’s nuclear ambitions are successful examples of changing policies through economic pressure and isolation. “Sanctions historically take a little while,” he said.
He said that Western actions against Russia are hurting its economy, noting that Russia is forecasting an economic recession for next year and that the ruble is at its lowest level ever against the euro.
Kerry said that the U.S. and its Western allies would prefer not to inflict broad-based economic pain that harms Russian people who are “innocent bystanders” to Putin’s foreign policy.
But he said that “no one can stand by and watch while the territorial sovereignty of a smaller nation is violated by a large and powerful nation and not uphold international standards of law and behaviors that have been in place since World War II. That is why these steps have been taken by the entire European Union and other countries that have come together and joined this effort. We cannot condone this kind of breach in behavior.”
Kerry also said that the U.S. has supplied $118 million in security assistance to Ukraine this year and “we can continue to increase our assistance over time and as needed.” He said the American aid has helped Ukraine purchase body armor, helmets, advanced radios, patrol boats, border radars and other items.
Despite the fact that Russia has broken cease-fire agreements brokered in Geneva and Minsk, Kerry said that the U.S. is still giving the Kremlin an “opportunity to make a very different choice” and turn away from continued aggression against Ukraine. That Russian aggression, Kerry said, has included sending hundreds of pieces of military equipment to supply Kremlin-backed separatists — including tanks, armored personnel carriers and heavy artillery — since a Sept. 5 announced cease-fire. He also said Russia continues to “supply control and command” to the separatist forces.
During the foreign ministers meeting at NATO headquarters, Kerry said that “the U.S. and our allies reaffirmed our strong support of Ukraine” as it forms a new government and undertakes economic and political reforms “which are vital for the country’s unity and prosperity.”
Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner can be reached at [email protected].
