Thursday, September 22, 2016

U.S. Vice-President Biden Tells Ukraine Reform Or Face The EU Dropping Sanctions Against Russia

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko (L) and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden pose for the media prior to meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 20, 2016. REUTERS/Michel Euler/Pool

Reuters: Biden warns Ukraine on reforms, says EU sanctions on Russia at risk

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned Ukraine needs to live up to its promises economic and political reforms or risk seeing the European Union walk away from its sanctions on Russia.

"We know that if they give an excuse to the EU, there are at least five countries right now that want to say 'We want out'" of sanctions against Moscow, Biden said, speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

Europe imposed sanctions after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014. Fighting has continued in the east of the country, despite the so-called Minsk ceasefire agreement, and Western powers fear peace efforts could unravel.

In exchange for financial support from the United States and other Western allies, Ukraine promised reforms, but progress has been mixed.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The culture of corruption is very deep in Ukraine .... it is going to take generations before it is purged .... if ever. As to the EU removing sanctions on Russia .... I give it another year.

Update: It looks like the U.S. is only a step or two away from sending lethal arms to Ukraine .... U.S. House Approves Lethal Weaponry For Ukraine (RFE). More here .... US Lethal Assistance to Ukraine ‘Still on Table’ - Carter (Sputnik). Sighhh .... this is only going to put more fuel on the fire.

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