US Blinks: Kerry Says Prepared To Roll Back Sanctions On Russia

Did The US just blink? Perhaps under pressure from Merkel having enough of Obama's "costs", Secretary of State John Kerry just released the following statement...

Ukraine Ceasefire Agreement

John Kerry

The United States welcomes the news that the OSCE-led Trilateral Contact Group, supported by Chancellor Merkel and Presidents Hollande, Poroshenko, and Putin, reached agreement on a ceasefire and heavy weapons withdrawal in eastern Ukraine, and on the implementation of the September Minsk agreements. We particularly commend the diplomatic efforts of our European Allies, Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande, and their teams in making this agreement possible. Actions will be what matter now. The first test of this agreement and the prospects for a comprehensive settlement will be the full implementation of the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons by all parties – by Ukraine, the separatists, and Russia. All the parties must show complete restraint in the run-up to the Sunday ceasefire, including an immediate halt to the Russian and separatist assault on Debaltseve and other Ukrainian towns.

The parties have a long road ahead before achieving peace and the full restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty. The United States stands ready to assist in coordination with our European Allies and partners. We will judge the commitment of Russia and the separatists by their actions, not their words. As we have long said, the United States is prepared to consider rolling back sanctions on Russia when the Minsk agreements of September 2014, and now this agreement, are fully implemented. That includes a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of all foreign troops and equipment from Ukraine, the full restoration of Ukrainian control of the international border, and the release of all hostages.

We also welcome the news that the Government of Ukraine and the IMF have reached an agreement that will allow the IMF to provide Ukraine with $17.5 billion in financial assistance in support of economic reforms. This agreement will enable Ukraine to continue implementing the reforms it needs to build a stronger, more prosperous, democratic future for the people of Ukraine.

So Crimea, which was not mentioned, and whose "annexation" by Russia so infuriated the western leaders, is Vlad's to keep?

Comments

[pashley1411]

Plain English translation; "the US, having been deserted by its long-time allies, conceeds to the side-deal arranged between the Russian bloc and its former allies."

Time for Obama to go on another golf vacation.

[DIgnified]

I dont buy it.  This is a feint.  They need conflict for the economy, and proxy battles through mercs isnt cutting it anymore.

[will ling]

does anyone really believe west is capable of skunkin' vlad?

[nuke ISIS now]

Vlad is in way over his head....history will show this to be true

[Bemused Observer]

Maybe there are so many cracks starting to appear that the neo cons have realized they can't take them all on.

How many fronts can you open in a war? Can you afford it? Do you have enough people?

[Herdee]

Now send over that PMS'd bitch Victoria Nuland to hand out cookies to neo-nazis.That'a boy Kerry,you show those Ruskis who the boss is.

[Son of Captain Nemo]

We also welcome the news that the Government of Ukraine and the IMF have reached an agreement that will allow the IMF to provide Ukraine with $17.5 billion in financial assistance in support of economic reforms.

That's a lot of oil and Au...?!!! The good news is that Washington is holding 40 tons of what already belongs to the Ukrainian central bank for safe keeping which I'm sure will only increase in value once the printing presses get rolling for all that 'green ink" that will be expended in that "loan deal"???

So when has the U.S. not blinked since it's wonderful escapades started last February with Russia?..

[Rusputin]

"Agreement fully implemented" will be one to two years away. In the meantime, Western trade to Russia will have been fully substituted with not-Western suppliers and well established.

Sanctions toward strong nations are rather suicidal in nature.

[falak pema]

And maybe Hollande gets to sell his warships to Putin like he has just sold his Rafale planes to Al Sissi; a world first for a 20 year old plane! 

http://uk.businessinsider.com/ukraine-ceasefire-agreement-could-signal-a...

[rex-lacrymarum]

This part: ....."including an immediate halt to the Russian and separatist assault on Debaltseve and other Ukrainian towns".

explains everything. So far the fascist demand has always been: unconditional surrender of the separatists. It is only when the Ukrainian army is once again on the ropes and seems on the verge of losing big time that Poroshenko and his Western handlers feel the urgent need to "negotiate". 

Once they have regrouped, mobilized more cannon fodder and gotten new arms and ammunition in place (those 17 billion smackers from the IMF courtesy of the Western tax cows will surely buy a few shiny new war toys), they will attack again, while screaming at the top of their lungs that the other side is violating the ceasefire. The whole exercise is almost embarrasingly transparent. 

However, they cannot win. The separatists know what they are fighting for: their homes and families. Not a single Western Ukrainian recruit has an inkling why he should fight and die in the Donbass shooting at his fellow countrymen. 

[bid the soldier...]

Did Putin win and nobody told me?

Well, thanks a lot.

I had to go to the Apple store and learn about my i6.

[bid the soldier...]

hmmm

Perhaps under pressure from Merkel having enough of Obama's "costs"

Either that or the 2 failed tries to get Musk's SpaceX's rocket engine started to achieve gravity escape velocity.

As smart as us Putin fans are, there are just some things we'll never know.

Big Deal

[bid the soldier...]

• remember 

you'll never know the many ways I've tried

But still they lead me back to the long and winding road......

from The Putins' gold album, "Sgt Obama's Lonely Brain Cell Club"