In interview, Ukrainian president asks Trump to deliver pointed message to Putin
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
KIEV, Ukraine — The president of Ukraine has a message that he wants President Donald Trump to personally deliver to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming G20 summit in Argentina:
"Please, get out from Ukraine, Mr. Putin," Petro Poroshenko said Tuesday.
Poroshenko made the comments in a one-on-one interview with NBC News, which was conducted two days after Russian forces created an international crisis by attacking and seizing three Ukrainian vessels that were trying to pass through the Kerch Strait, a narrow artery that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov.
The Ukrainian leader also told NBC News that his country is ready to cooperate with the investigation of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort , who spent nearly a decade in Ukraine as a consultant to a pro-Moscow political party.
But asked if the Ukraine has any evidence that Manafort was getting paid directly by the Kremlin, Poroshenko said, "I am not personally connected with the process."
Poroshenko on Monday declared martial law in the provinces bordering Russia and convened his war cabinet after the Russian assault that left six Ukrainian sailors injured and two dozen more detained in a nearby port.
The Russians have effectively controlled the Kerch Strait since they seized the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.
Poroshenko said his military is ready to defend its country but is counting on the United States to live up to its pledges to support Ukraine.
"I count on the United States," Poroshenko told NBC News. "I count on the United States people."
In the interview, Poroshenko also warned the Russians that Ukraine will not roll over if war comes.
"We will fight for our freedom, we will fight for our democracy, we will fight for our soil," he said. "The Russians will pay a huge price if they attack us."
After the vessels were seized on Sunday, Nikki Haley, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joined other Western leaders in immediately pointing the finger of blame at the Kremlin and Putin.
But Trump was reluctant to blame the Russian leader.
“We don’t like what’s happening either way,” Trump said on Monday.
Typically when asked about Crimea, Trump has blamed his predecessor Barack Obama for Ukraine's loss of Crimea.
Asked point-blank if he can count on Trump, Poroshenko answered diplomatically: "This is the international obligation of the United States."
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If anyone thinks that Russia can be trusted, think again.
"In 2014, before Trump announced his candidacy, a Gallup poll found 26 percent of Americans and 22 percent of Republicans saying that Russia was either an “ally” or “friendly, but not an ally.” When they last asked earlier this month, the share of Americans overall who said the same increased by five points to 31 percent. But among Republicans it increased by a much larger 18 points to 40 percent who said that Russia was an ally or friendly."
So after the Russians attacked our elections, Republicans increased their support for Russia with a full 40% considering them a "friend" or "ally". This is a scary fact and one I'm not sure America is prepared to face. We know how divided America is with some even talking about the possibility of another civil war, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who our bitter enemies bent on the destruction of western democracy would side with and support. So just let that sink in. Nearly half the Republican party may side with an enemy foreign government to fight our own government in any domestic conflict. How those who think of Russia as a friend consider themselves patriotic Americans is beyond me.
Wally,
I think the issue here is that we need President Trump to make a strong statement to Putin. An event like this should not go unnoticed and it should be made clear to him publicly, for us and the world.
That is something that President Reagen would have done.
Overall, Trump has been way too friendly with Putin. He needs to step up and say something to Russia. He will gain more respect if he takes a stand with them and being a President is not a popularity contest.
It's amazing how much patience one can buy with a compromising video of the President being urinated on by underage prostitutes. I guess we'll have to wait and see how much patience that tape has actually purchased. We already know that just promises to buy American from the Saudis bought our Presidents support even after they murdered a Washington Post journalist in cold blood. Apparently American ideals of justice and freedom and are as cheap as the Republicans who give lip service to the ideals but vote to keep doing business with murderous authoritarians as long as they're greasing Republican palms.
What has Trump done in the last 2 years that would indicate he's willing to stand up to Putin?
Trump is too much in love with Putin to say anything bad to him.
Perrie, did you see my post last night on your other Russia "bad international player" discussion?
If not, may I copy and past it over here?
BTW, I seriously doubt this will ever happen. IMO the increased fighting in the east and the "scare" in Moldova are Putin driven since Trumps meeting in Moscow.
I did not and feel free to copy and paste.
Then I will take that as an Okay.
Thanks.
You're on your own Petro. Vlad's got the piss tape so you might as well start calling yourselves a Soviet republic.
Originally posted last night on Perries Norway discussion regarding the bad international player Russia is proving itself to be.
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So, with regards to Russia being a bad player at the international level these days, last weekend they began playing "games" with Ukraine again.
Sat on it until a somewhat coherent story could be pieced together.
I do not know how familiar folks are with the geography over there with regards to Odessa, Crimea, Black Sea, Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, but it looks like this:
Okay, sometime during the weekend, Ukraine calls Russia to say they are going to move a tugboat from Odessa to Mariupol.
In case anyone has forgotten, Russia "annexed" (stole) Crimea from Ukraine a few years ago. Then, this past year, Russia completed a bridge from Russia to Kerch at the Kerch Strait.
A little later the tug and it's escort of a couple light gun boats show up at that bridge only to find this scene:
I don't know about anyone else, that is not a place I would expect to park a freighter OR expect to see a freighter parked.
Of course, according to the FSB, it was a "provocation" when the Ukrainian boats arrived and wanted a way past. Notice the "anguish" in the Russians voice when he must lower himself to pronounce the word Ukraine.
As the world turns and Russia continues to move un-checked.
P.S. This story gives background insight regarding Trumps concerns voiced about Moldova following his visit to Moscow to speak with Putin.
P.P.S. 10 Ukraine regions are now under Martia law. That is worth a separate post.
For sure.
btw.. great post.
Thank you Perrie.
This is what happens when the US backs a coup by the minority faction in a country. Our government didn't like the election results so "negotiated" a deal to remove a pro Russian duly elected government. Then is shocked when civil war erupts and Russia gets involved.
The US and NATO have been flipping buffer states around Russia as fast as they can. Now seem dumbfounded when Putin draws a line in Ukraine.
Ukraine talks really tough when it believes the US pitbull is securely on their leash. How long do we want to keep poking the Russian bear? Back Putin into a corner and he might do something the human race won't recover from.
Ronin,
I realize that you might not know my stance on Obama's international policy, but I thought it stunk. It made us look weak, which lead to the taking of Crimea.
Our present love fest with our Trump and Putin is hardly any better. Hence my concern.
I wouldn't call it a love fest between Trump and Putin. I wasn't enamored with Trump putting regular US ground forces in Syria. Bringing them in close contact with Russian ground forces, Iranian militia, and Syrian governmental forces. Making an already tense situation in Syrian air space even more volatile. I doubt that made Putin happy.
As for the Ukraine- we wouldn't look weak if Obama hadn't backed the Ukrainian coup in the first place. Of course he just continued the policy that started way back with Bush Sr (and carried on by all subsequent administrations) of trying to flip buffer states that were part of the old Soviet Union. I understand the whole isolate Russia policy; but the last thing we need is Russia destabilized. Weaken Putin enough; and he might decide to take much of humanity with him when he goes.
As for Crimea, Russians make up the largest demographic group there. With Ukraine the way it is now is it nay shock they voted to rejoin Russia? Even with the numbers I believe Putin influenced that vote.
Russian is spoken in much of Ukraine. Julia's first language is Russian, followed by Ukrainian and English.
To put it in perspective though, I would say a guy from Boston has a bigger language barrier when conversing with a guy from Mobile than that of a Russian speaking guy conversing with a Ukrainian speaking guy.
That is not really a factor. National origin? Not really a factor either.
The Naval base? Bingo. Russia wants that. Our interfering caused that whole problem.
Poroshenko, who himself is compromised, is surely aware that Donald J. Trump is also compromised.
What was discussed between Trump and Putin in that Helsinki meeting? Was Ukraine and Crimea settled for Putin? If so, what did Trump receive in return?
If Obama was called weak on his stance and actions, trump is certainly weak on his stance and actions.
putin is only getting emboldened as he continually never gets any push back for his actions.
This ...
....should have taken place years ago...
...;besides, the only thing pointed about Rump is his noggin'.
Trump is the weakest president in US history, bar none.
The regions in the burnt "orangish" color are under martial law and border either Russia, Separatist regions, the Azov Sea, The Black Sea, or Moldolva.
Moldova? Guess who else has a region under Putins thumb and pose an invasion risk to Ukraine in the event Putin calls in his chips?
I thought to myself "what does this mean"?
So I asked Julia, what does this mean to you? The first thing out of her mouth was "It means a gun shot could go off at any moment".
Not good news, as she is due to fly back soon for a month or so and she is from one of those southern, Russian speaking border regions.
Day to day it also means ID must be carried at all times and one must be prepared to "show your paperwork".
As of now, travel is allowed. Not sure of checkpoints in general, but some locations have announced checkpoints, such as Vinnistya.
Off the streets by 2200.
Shopping should be as normal, maybe, depending on shipping through the Azov Sea for good shipped between there and Kherson and Odessa.
Poroshenko originally pushed for a 60 martial law with options to extend.
Implications?
A general election to include positions a the President and Parliament ( Verkhovna Rada or just Rada ) are scheduled for March 1, 2019. Poreshenko is hurting in the polls and a delay in the election would suit him just fine.
The Parliament flat out rejected that idea. For now, it is 30 days and no extensions...again, for now.
Hoping for more and better detailed information as time goes by.