Ukrainian President Yanukovych calls Biden on dramatic day in Ukraine

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/28/ukrainian-president-yanukovych-calls-biden-on-dramatic-day-in-ukraine/



Ukrainian President Yanukovych calls Biden on dramatic day in Ukraine
By Agence France-Presse
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 18:41 EST

Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych called Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday in their second conversation in as many days as his country’s political showdown reaches a pivotal point.

The call took place after Ukraine’s prime minister and entire government resigned and parliament scrapped anti-protest laws in the biggest concessions yet to opposition protesters.

The new contact between the White House and Kiev also came on a day when Russian President Vladimir Putin warned foreign nations against interfering in the politics of ex-Soviet states.

The White House said in a statement that Biden welcomed “progress made today” in Ukraine and called on Yanukovych to sign the repeal of several anti-protest laws passed on January 16 laws without delay.

[dipsydoodle]

1. The USA's motivation

revolves around getting ex-USSR states into the anachronism known as NATO.

[pampango]

2. "... Putin warned foreign nations against interfering in the politics of ex-Soviet states."

I wonder if Putin considers Russia to be a 'foreign nation' with respect to Ukraine. Does this mean that Russia should not interfere in the politics of the Baltic states, Poland, Eastern Europe?

He did not say "foreign nations should not intervene in the politics of any state". Sounds like a modern version of the Monroe Doctrine. I support neither the Monroe nor the Putin Doctrine. Each country and its people are free to choose it friends and allies no matter where they are located on the globe.

[bemildred]

3. Yes, that's what it is, "spheres of influence" or "Monroe Doctrine" if you like.

A very attractive idea for those who think they have one (a sphere of influence). Putin considers Ukraine something like we think of Mexico, or Canada. He isn't going to be the one that "lost Ukraine". Aggressive meddling will start a war.

Our foreign policy wonks could use some self-criticism for their continued ignorance of these situations they meddle with to promote their careers. If you promote your career in ways that endanger your country's interests, what does that make you?