re: RED LINE RED LINE RED LINE

quote:

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Obama says a solution in Ukraine must be homegrown, involving a disarmament "by Ukrainians," and that "they move forward with reforms, they move forward with elections and they start getting their economic house in order – that's what's going to solve the problem."

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did he mean to say that, or did he mean U.S. citizens? His answer is for Ukrainians to be defenseless?

quote:

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The president says Russia has shown signs of cooperating in a de-escalation and "we are encouraging them to do so." He says, in an oblique warning, that the Ukraine adventure has "already had an impact on their economy, that is well documented. It could get significantly worse."

Obama says there's no desire to hurt ordinary Russians if there's a way to avoid it.

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mission accomplished. what a blowhard.


Here's the White House version of president Obama's call with chancellor Merkel. The leaders called on Russia to use "its influence over the irregular forces in eastern Ukraine to get them to lay down their arms and leave the buildings they have seized":


Readout of the President’s Call with Chancellor Merkel of Germany

The President and Chancellor Merkel of Germany spoke today regarding their deep concern about the situation in eastern Ukraine. The President commended the government of Ukraine’s approach to today’s discussions in Geneva, where it put forward constructive proposals to expand local governance and ensure the rights of all Ukrainians are protected. The leaders stressed that Russia needs to take immediate, concrete actions to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine, including by using its influence over the irregular forces in eastern Ukraine to get them to lay down their arms and leave the buildings they have seized. The President and the Chancellor agreed that the United States and Europe are prepared to take further measures if this de-escalation does not occur in short order(there's the red line). The leaders also stressed their support for Ukraine’s May 25 presidential elections.