Merkel in Washington to discuss Ukraine with Obama

Merkel in Washington to discuss Ukraine with Obama

PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has arrived in Washington for talks with President Barack Obama on Monday, Feb 9, amid reports of a rift over Ukraine, BBC News reports.

As well as discussing a way forward in Ukraine, the pair are likely to discuss a range of other issues including counter-terrorism and trade.

As the crisis in Ukraine intensifies, America says it will stand with Europe but recent talks exposed divisions. Merkel has ruled out sending weapons to help Ukraine's military.

The Ukrainian government is locked in a conflict with Russian-backed armed groups which has claimed more than 5,300 lives and driven 1.5 million people from their homes.

Merkel is said to be holding out hope for a diplomatic solution. Her trip to Washington comes days before she attends a summit in Minsk with the leaders of France, Russia and Ukraine.

She and French President Francois Hollande have been leading efforts to revive the Minsk peace plan which collapsed amid fighting over the winter.

The detailed proposals have not been released but the plan is thought to include a demilitarized zone of 50-70km (31-44 miles) around the current front line.

Germany's peace efforts were sharply criticized by senior U.S. Republicans who attended the weekend international security conference in Munich.

Senator Lyndsey Graham, who attended with Senator John McCain, said: "At the end of the day, to our European friends, this is not working. You can go to Moscow until you turn blue in the face. Stand up to what is clearly a lie and a danger."

McCain said: "The Ukrainians are being slaughtered and we're sending them blankets and meals. Blankets don't do well against Russian tanks."

However, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry denied any rift with EU leaders, saying, "I keep hearing people trying to create one. We are united, we are working closely together."

U.S. National Security Council spokesman Mark Stroh said Obama was "looking forward to his discussions with Chancellor Merkel on Monday, particularly on Ukraine and particularly in light of her recent trips with President Hollande, to Ukraine and Russia".

"The President values the Chancellor's judgment, and appreciates her strong efforts in marshalling European support and maintaining Transatlantic unity throughout the Ukraine crisis," the spokesman said in a statement to the BBC.

"She has been tireless in her pursuit of a diplomatic solution to the crisis, and the President anticipates a useful and informative discussion about this and other issues."

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