Obama, Merkel ‘show disagreement’ on Ukraine

PanARMENIAN.Net - The option of supplying Kiev with “lethal defensive weapons” is on the table, Barack Obama said in a joint press conference with German chancellor Angela Merkel, who, however, reiterated there is no “military solution” to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, RT reports.

“The possibility of lethal defensive weapons is one of those options that’s being examined,” the US president said during a joint press conference with Merkel in Washington.

“I want to emphasize that a decision has not yet been made,” Obama said when questioned about weapons a second time. “It is true that if, in fact, diplomacy fails, what I’ve asked my team to do is to look at all options. What other means can we put in place to change Mr. Putin’s calculus?”

Merkel – who conducted direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week, alongside French President Francois Hollande – struck a less antagonistic, if equally firm, tone.

“We continue to pursue a diplomatic solution, although we have suffered a lot of setbacks. But, I've always said I don't see a military solution in this conflict,” she said through a translator, according to RT.

Merkel may fly to Minsk on Wednesday, Feb 11, for four-way talks that will include Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France, in another attempt to resurrect the increasingly irrelevant ceasefire roadmap signed back in September.

“I myself, actually, would not be able to live with not having made this attempt,” said Merkel, who still accuses Moscow of “violating” the initial terms of the Minsk treaty and continuing support to anti-Kiev rebels.

Yet both leaders appeared somewhat skeptical at the prospect of a diplomatic solution.

“If, at a certain point in time, one has to say that a success is not possible, even if one puts every effort into it, then the United States and Europe have to sit together and try and explore further possibilities, what one can do,” the German chancellor admitted.

Although the EU has postponed new sanctions against Russia ahead of the peace talks, Obama insisted that current sanctions “need to remain fully in force.” The U.S. leader admitted that current sanctions have “not yet dissuaded Mr. Putin from following the course that he is on.”

Yet despite admitting some tactical disagreements, the two leaders tried to present a common front.

“Russian aggression has only reinforced the unity between the United States, Germany and other European allies,” the president said. “There’s going to continue to be a strong, unified response between the United States and Europe – that’s not going to change,” said Obama.

“For somebody who comes from Europe, I can only say, if we give up this principle of territorial integrity, we will not be able to maintain the peaceful order of Europe. It's essential,” added Merkel.