EU chief speaks out against arms supplies for Kiev

[Lite Beer]

EU chief speaks out against arms supplies for Kiev
RAF CASERT, Associated Press

RIGA, Latvia (AP) — The European Union's foreign policy chief on Friday came out against a bipartisan call in the United States to provide lethal, defensive weapons to Ukraine in its fight against Russian-backed separatists.

House Speaker John Boehner and a group of top Democrats and Republicans wrote to President Obama calling for deliveries but so far have found few backers in the 28-nation EU.

Federica Mogherini said Friday that "the European Union is doing enough" and insisted that the implementation of the peace deal brokered in Minsk last month "is the way to go forward."

To boost the implementation of the Minsk agreement, the EU is now looking at doubling the number of observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe from the current ceiling of 500.

So far however, the OSCE has been struggling to even fill those spots.

"The main point is obviously working to increase the number of selected and skilled people that can do the job," Mogherini said. The more observers the tougher it would become to violate the conditions of the Minsk agreement with impunity.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been particularly outspoken against pouring more firepower into the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where the West has accused Moscow of throwing in military manpower and equipment.

On Friday, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said arms deliveries "would only stoke the fire."

"Our goal must be a ceasefire, not an escalation," Kurz said.

All EU ministers agreed though that if the Minsk agreement would be violated in a major way, more sanctions would be on the way. So far, the EU has imposed selected economic sanctions and asset freezes and visa bans.

"If there is a serious deterioration in the situation in eastern Ukraine and the Minsk agreements are going to be violated, then of course, the EU is prepared to take further sanctions," said Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, the host of the EU meeting.

The U.S. lawmakers insisted the so-called Minsk agreements have only consolidated Russian and separatists' gains, and urged quick approval of additional efforts to support Ukraine. They said the EU was far too slow and meek in its reaction to the crisis.

Boehner and others found the EU approach insufficient, especially for a conflict happening on its doorstep, as they urged Obama "to lead Europe" in challenging Putin.

Britain on Friday continued its policy of providing non-lethal defense assistance to Ukraine as the EU continues to look for a political solution, approving 850,000 pounds ($1.29 million) for first aid kits, night vision goggles, helmets and other equipment.

"Our overall aim is to strengthen the defensive capability of the Ukrainian armed forces and build the resilience that they need," said British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-03-07

[Godders]

Mogherini is right ito resist Washington's attempts to drag the EU into a conflict which could spark a third world war. If the US wants a third world war, let it start it on its own doorstep, not ours.

[Daniel Ingalls]

I agree hold heartily, We Americans have never had a big war in the States since 1865 the end of a Civil War. Never been through the drama of starvation, mass murders, mass raping of woman and slaughter of children. And I hope we never will. But it is about time

the Europeans fend for themselves. I would like all US military presence out of Europe. All treaties terminated........your on your own folks! Same goes for Japan and South Korea. Moneys save then can be used for defenses. If the South Koreans can't defend themselves by now, maybe it would be better for the two Koreas join, Like East and West Germany did. This age old bickering has to come to an end. But lets face it........war is money......and we have been part of the problem. War materials such as planes, tanks, ships.

all part of the game who has the biggest, fastest.....Newspapers write it up as if were a contest. And now we are going to compete against the Chinese?......the way one commentator put it. "The Chinese have more honor students in school, then all the children we have in school!" In a conventional war, if we were able to kill 20,000 troops a day, by sheer numbers alone it would take us over 100 years to wipe them out!..........so whats my point?........If we are going to be in the lime lite internationally, walk with a big stick, use it wisely, and keep an eye out behind your back. Because bigger and mightier things might just beat the .... out of ya. Eurpoe is old, with old ideas, and the goals of perpetrators have not changed that much. Control the Mediterranean and Black sea, and you pretty much got most of Europe by the throat.

[khunken]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

[Srikcir]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

Exactly, because you'll remove the only effective military force to oppose further Russian annexation. Russia wants Ukraine to be its satellite just as it was under the USSR. Putin wants to restore the grand Republic to its former glory and for that he has to break a few countries to make a Russian omelot.

Edited March 7, 2015 by Srikcir

[konying]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

Exactly, because you'll remove the only effective military force to oppose further Russian annexation. Russia wants Ukraine to be its satellite just as it was under the USSR. Putin wants to restore the grand Republic to its former glory and for that he has to break a few countries to make a Russian omelot.

Do you have any evidence of Russia wanting to annex or take Ukraine ? Or just like to blow American smoke into the air?

[konying]

Finally EU has woken up to being manipulated by US for US self interests.

Let's hope EU has enough balls to withstand the pressure to resume its normal life and relations with Russia and return to prosperity instead of serving someone else's interests.

[Johnny S]

EU is like an old woman - toothless and only babling away without anyone listening to them, Cowards ...!

[khunken]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

Exactly, because you'll remove the only effective military force to oppose further Russian annexation. Russia wants Ukraine to be its satellite just as it was under the USSR. Putin wants to restore the grand Republic to its former glory and for that he has to break a few countries to make a Russian omelot.

If Putin wanted all of Ukraine He could have taken it in days. It is pretty obvious that all he wants is an Ukraine, free of NATO, that he can do business with. All the warmongering is coming from the US with EU officials doing their best to prevent any more escalation.

[gerry1011]

I agree hold heartily, We Americans have never had a big war in the States since 1865 the end of a Civil War. Never been through the drama of starvation, mass murders, mass raping of woman and slaughter of children. And I hope we never will. But it is about time

the Europeans fend for themselves. I would like all US military presence out of Europe. All treaties terminated........your on your own folks! Same goes for Japan and South Korea. Moneys save then can be used for defenses. If the South Koreans can't defend themselves by now, maybe it would be better for the two Koreas join, Like East and West Germany did. This age old bickering has to come to an end. But lets face it........war is money......and we have been part of the problem. War materials such as planes, tanks, ships.

all part of the game who has the biggest, fastest.....Newspapers write it up as if were a contest. And now we are going to compete against the Chinese?......the way one commentator put it. "The Chinese have more honor students in school, then all the children we have in school!" In a conventional war, if we were able to kill 20,000 troops a day, by sheer numbers alone it would take us over 100 years to wipe them out!..........so whats my point?........If we are going to be in the lime lite internationally, walk with a big stick, use it wisely, and keep an eye out behind your back. Because bigger and mightier things might just beat the .... out of ya. Eurpoe is old, with old ideas, and the goals of perpetrators have not changed that much. Control the Mediterranean and Black sea, and you pretty much got most of Europe by the throat.

I believe many (many) Europeans would like the Americans out too...

Americans like to put their nose everywhere and "arm" the side they consider the "good one". Look at the result in the Middle East. Great!

Europeans should be closer to Putin, I believe. He is our neighbor.

For those who want to balance their opinion, and on top of the usual western news channels, watch RT News. Then balance both sources... It is an interesting exercise. At least for the open minded type, who is able to have such a balanced opinion.

Edited March 7, 2015 by gerry1011

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies removed.

[mikehock]

I agree hold heartily, We Americans have never had a big war in the States since 1865 the end of a Civil War. Never been through the drama of starvation, mass murders, mass raping of woman and slaughter of children. And I hope we never will. But it is about time

the Europeans fend for themselves. I would like all US military presence out of Europe. All treaties terminated........your on your own folks! Same goes for Japan and South Korea. Moneys save then can be used for defenses. If the South Koreans can't defend themselves by now, maybe it would be better for the two Koreas join, Like East and West Germany did. This age old bickering has to come to an end. But lets face it........war is money......and we have been part of the problem. War materials such as planes, tanks, ships.

all part of the game who has the biggest, fastest.....Newspapers write it up as if were a contest. And now we are going to compete against the Chinese?......the way one commentator put it. "The Chinese have more honor students in school, then all the children we have in school!" In a conventional war, if we were able to kill 20,000 troops a day, by sheer numbers alone it would take us over 100 years to wipe them out!..........so whats my point?........If we are going to be in the lime lite internationally, walk with a big stick, use it wisely, and keep an eye out behind your back. Because bigger and mightier things might just beat the .... out of ya. Eurpoe is old, with old ideas, and the goals of perpetrators have not changed that much. Control the Mediterranean and Black sea, and you pretty much got most of Europe by the throat.

How does one agree "hold heartily" ??

[bassman]

I agree hold heartily, We Americans have never had a big war in the States since 1865 the end of a Civil War. Never been through the drama of starvation, mass murders, mass raping of woman and slaughter of children. And I hope we never will. But it is about time

the Europeans fend for themselves. I would like all US military presence out of Europe. All treaties terminated........your on your own folks! Same goes for Japan and South Korea. Moneys save then can be used for defenses. If the South Koreans can't defend themselves by now, maybe it would be better for the two Koreas join, Like East and West Germany did. This age old bickering has to come to an end. But lets face it........war is money......and we have been part of the problem. War materials such as planes, tanks, ships.

all part of the game who has the biggest, fastest.....Newspapers write it up as if were a contest. And now we are going to compete against the Chinese?......the way one commentator put it. "The Chinese have more honor students in school, then all the children we have in school!" In a conventional war, if we were able to kill 20,000 troops a day, by sheer numbers alone it would take us over 100 years to wipe them out!..........so whats my point?........If we are going to be in the lime lite internationally, walk with a big stick, use it wisely, and keep an eye out behind your back. Because bigger and mightier things might just beat the .... out of ya. Eurpoe is old, with old ideas, and the goals of perpetrators have not changed that much. Control the Mediterranean and Black sea, and you pretty much got most of Europe by the throat.

One good thing about TVF it is multi-national base and it shows a diverse opinion. The world has come to hate America and I agree with you whole heartedly time for America to stop defending the world. Having been military retired, having worked in most post war locations to include: Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia it is about time for the USA to let the Arabs and Israel handle the Middle East the Euros to handle Europe and the Asians to contain China. Anytime the absolute of America's own defence comes into question ie post 9/11 and ops in Afghanistan are justified and called for. However, we had no business there in spending hundreds of billions as well as the loss of our young men/women in rebuilding. When the Taliban refused to give up Al Qaeda we were more than justified to invade and eliminate.

The Japs/Koreans/Philippine's/Thais/Taiwanese/Aussie/NZ; as well as the Euros spend about half the rate of the US on national defense. They have grown dependent on our taxpayers paying their defense bill for them while selling their products in our country without the "defense tax" that America has to pay. Time for America to stop defending them and time they "belly up" to the table.

America needs to continue to spend what it does today (4-5% of GDP) on defense but so much more gear we could buy with the savings if we withdrew back to our own world of N/S America. America needs to consolidate and lock and cock our assets, instead of being piece mealed out.

When it took America to go to the Balkans to put a Texas county sized country of Serbia in check because the Euros could not do it alone, shows their pathetic state of military might.

More and more I am starting to like Rand Paul, he said it like it is, the invasion of Iraq one of the dumbest mistakes in our history. About ISIS in Syria/Iraq/Libya far from our boarders. However Libya is just 300 miles to Europe, their problem and time for them to man up.

[Baerboxer]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

Exactly, because you'll remove the only effective military force to oppose further Russian annexation. Russia wants Ukraine to be its satellite just as it was under the USSR. Putin wants to restore the grand Republic to its former glory and for that he has to break a few countries to make a Russian omelot.

Do you have any evidence of Russia wanting to annex or take Ukraine ? Or just like to blow American smoke into the air?

Does the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the presence of many Russian and Russian Federation countries' nationals as "volunteers" fighting with Ukrainian pro Russia rebels, the supplying of modern weapons, including heavy hi-tech weapons to the rebels and the gentle threats being made to the Baltic countries, Scandinavian and UK by incursions into their air space, and possible submarine incursions give you a clue?

A pro Russian Ukrainian corrupt president is ousted and flees to Russia. Then the troubles start.

Of course that peaceful loving Putin and the law abiding lovers of peace, the Russian people only wish peace and happiness for all of Europe. So long as Putin can say which alliances other countries are allowed and forbidden to make.

I don't want some Italian political appointee, with 5 minutes in her post, speaking on behalf of Europe. The Italians are not exactly known for their military prowess since Rome fell and this woman has to understand the difference between NATO and the EU. The latter being a common market not an organization to benefit corrupt backward Southern European countries and their bimbo politicians.

[Baerboxer]

I agree hold heartily, We Americans have never had a big war in the States since 1865 the end of a Civil War. Never been through the drama of starvation, mass murders, mass raping of woman and slaughter of children. And I hope we never will. But it is about time

the Europeans fend for themselves. I would like all US military presence out of Europe. All treaties terminated........your on your own folks! Same goes for Japan and South Korea. Moneys save then can be used for defenses. If the South Koreans can't defend themselves by now, maybe it would be better for the two Koreas join, Like East and West Germany did. This age old bickering has to come to an end. But lets face it........war is money......and we have been part of the problem. War materials such as planes, tanks, ships.

all part of the game who has the biggest, fastest.....Newspapers write it up as if were a contest. And now we are going to compete against the Chinese?......the way one commentator put it. "The Chinese have more honor students in school, then all the children we have in school!" In a conventional war, if we were able to kill 20,000 troops a day, by sheer numbers alone it would take us over 100 years to wipe them out!..........so whats my point?........If we are going to be in the lime lite internationally, walk with a big stick, use it wisely, and keep an eye out behind your back. Because bigger and mightier things might just beat the .... out of ya. Eurpoe is old, with old ideas, and the goals of perpetrators have not changed that much. Control the Mediterranean and Black sea, and you pretty much got most of Europe by the throat.

One good thing about TVF it is multi-national base and it shows a diverse opinion. The world has come to hate America and I agree with you whole heartedly time for America to stop defending the world. Having been military retired, having worked in most post war locations to include: Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia it is about time for the USA to let the Arabs and Israel handle the Middle East the Euros to handle Europe and the Asians to contain China. Anytime the absolute of America's own defence comes into question ie post 9/11 and ops in Afghanistan are justified and called for. However, we had no business there in spending hundreds of billions as well as the loss of our young men/women in rebuilding. When the Taliban refused to give up Al Qaeda we were more than justified to invade and eliminate.

The Japs/Koreans/Philippine's/Thais/Taiwanese/Aussie/NZ; as well as the Euros spend about half the rate of the US on national defense. They have grown dependent on our taxpayers paying their defense bill for them while selling their products in our country without the "defense tax" that America has to pay. Time for America to stop defending them and time they "belly up" to the table.

America needs to continue to spend what it does today (4-5% of GDP) on defense but so much more gear we could buy with the savings if we withdrew back to our own world of N/S America. America needs to consolidate and lock and cock our assets, instead of being piece mealed out.

When it took America to go to the Balkans to put a Texas county sized country of Serbia in check because the Euros could not do it alone, shows their pathetic state of military might.

More and more I am starting to like Rand Paul, he said it like it is, the invasion of Iraq one of the dumbest mistakes in our history. About ISIS in Syria/Iraq/Libya far from our boarders. However Libya is just 300 miles to Europe, their problem and time for them to man up.

You are correct. My son was in Bosnia and Kosovo. NATO was and is heavily reliant on the US. Easy to grumble about the rich relations, but the reality is when push comes to shove you're up shit creek with no paddles with out them.

The UK and France have good military capability that's been cut to the quick by politicians slashing spending. The Dutch, very small but also good and amalgamate with the British if war comes. Scandinavian countries ok ish, Former Warsaw pact - don't know. Against the Russian Federation - more tanks, manpower, aircraft and rockets - forget it. Without American support we'd either go down or have to go nuclear and we all know where that leads.

[Xircal]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

Take NATO out of Europe and you give Putin a green light to invade and retake all the former Baltic states as well as the rest of Ukraine.

[Xircal]

EU is like an old woman - toothless and only babling away without anyone listening to them, Cowards ...!

Strange comment coming from someone who uses an image of the Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh as his avatar.

Maybe this one would be more suitable to you: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02868/KKK_2868392b.jpg

[NeverSure]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

Take NATO out of Europe and you give Putin a green light to invade and retake all the former Baltic states as well as the rest of Ukraine.

No no no. You don't understand the European way of thinking. If the West would just be nice to everyone, everyone would be nice right back and there'd be no more problems, doncha see.

All of the strife in the world right now to include Ukraine, islamic terrorists not limited to ISIS, and China trying to take waters, air routes and islands is the fault and only the fault of the USA.

[englishoak]

The USA is just doing the things Europe used to do..... playing king of the hill.

Look at it another way and the world as a school playground, while in the playground to scare the other would be bullies the bigger bully is effective as long as hes present, its the main bully that gets the flack, no one takes much notice of the other bullies that are kept in check by the mere presence of. Only when absent does it become clearer the duel role played by the top bully.

Much like these despots and dictators, often as not once toppled the place collapses into chaos and all the other bullys come out the woodwork and run riot because they can.

This is the US and to some extent NATO .. Putin would like Russia to be in that league again.

[car720]

Who cares?

One way or another we will all be dead when our time comes.

[MJP]

Who cares?

One way or another we will all be dead when our time comes.

In the meantime I've stocked up on tins and Geiger counters and I've made the basement a bit more comfortable.

[konying]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

Exactly, because you'll remove the only effective military force to oppose further Russian annexation. Russia wants Ukraine to be its satellite just as it was under the USSR. Putin wants to restore the grand Republic to its former glory and for that he has to break a few countries to make a Russian omelot.

Do you have any evidence of Russia wanting to annex or take Ukraine ? Or just like to blow American smoke into the air?

Does the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the presence of many Russian and Russian Federation countries' nationals as "volunteers" fighting with Ukrainian pro Russia rebels, the supplying of modern weapons, including heavy hi-tech weapons to the rebels and the gentle threats being made to the Baltic countries, Scandinavian and UK by incursions into their air space, and possible submarine incursions give you a clue?

A pro Russian Ukrainian corrupt president is ousted and flees to Russia. Then the troubles start.

Of course that peaceful loving Putin and the law abiding lovers of peace, the Russian people only wish peace and happiness for all of Europe. So long as Putin can say which alliances other countries are allowed and forbidden to make.

I don't want some Italian political appointee, with 5 minutes in her post, speaking on behalf of Europe. The Italians are not exactly known for their military prowess since Rome fell and this woman has to understand the difference between NATO and the EU. The latter being a common market not an organization to benefit corrupt backward Southern European countries and their bimbo politicians.

All , nothing but American propaganda without any evidence but " we have proof" which is either classified or old photo's.

Volunteers have nothing to do with state policy and you know that .

Sorry to say, but all of your post is nothing but American propaganda.

Putin is not the one who invaded and continues to invade countries on another continent, nor he is the one bombing sovereign states thousands of miles away.

[konying]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

Take NATO out of Europe and you give Putin a green light to invade and retake all the former Baltic states as well as the rest of Ukraine.

Nonsense and fear mongering created and supported by US to justify its " occupation " of EU

[Johnny S]

EU is like an old woman - toothless and only babling away without anyone listening to them, Cowards ...!

Strange comment coming from someone who uses an image of the Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh as his avatar.

Maybe this one would be more suitable to you: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02868/KKK_2868392b.jpg

Please explain what is soooo strange to you ... Have you any knowledge about Theo van Gogh´s Work ?

"Unfortunately" your link dosent Work (either ...)

[lovetotravel]

Take NATO out of Europe and you completely remove any reason for Russia to be upset over Ukraine.

Exactly, because you'll remove the only effective military force to oppose further Russian annexation. Russia wants Ukraine to be its satellite just as it was under the USSR. Putin wants to restore the grand Republic to its former glory and for that he has to break a few countries to make a Russian omelot.

Do you have any evidence of Russia wanting to annex or take Ukraine ? Or just like to blow American smoke into the air?

Is Putin's admission enough for you?

http://news.yahoo.com/putin-describes-secret-operation-seize-crimea-212858356.html

Moscow (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin has revealed the moment he says he gave the secret order for Russia's annexation of Crimea and described how Russian troops were ready to fight to rescue Ukraine's deposed, pro-Moscow president.

In a trailer shown Sunday for an upcoming documentary on state-run Rossiya-1 television called "Homeward bound", Putin openly discusses Moscow's controversial grabbing of Crimea a year ago.

Putin recounts an all-night meeting with security services chiefs to discuss how to extricate deposed president Viktor Yanukovych, who had fled a pro-Western street revolt in the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

"We ended at about seven in the morning," Putin says. "When we were parting, I said to my colleagues: we must start working on returning Crimea to Russia."

nuff said.