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February 9, 2015

German Leader to Meet Obama as U.S. Weighs Military Aid to Ukraine 
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to meet with President Obama in
Washington today. Obama will reportedly decide on whether to send U.S.
military aid to Ukraine in the coming days, as many top officials favor.
Speaking to NBC's Meet the Press, Secretary of State John Kerry said
Putin's meddling in Ukraine threatens global order.

Secretary of State John Kerry: "Hopefully, he will come to a point where
he realizes the damage he is doing is not just to the global order and
the process, but he is doing enormous damage to Russia itself. And I'm
convinced, I think most people are convinced, that each month that goes
by, that will catch up to him ultimately in Russia itself."

Some top administration officials, including incoming Defense Secretary
Ashton Carter, have backed military aid for Ukraine. At a security
summit in Germany, Republican Senator John Mc Cain said arming Ukraine
against Russian-backed rebels is a U.S. obligation.

Sen. John Mc Cain: "If we help Ukrainians increase the military cost to
the Russian forces that have invaded their country, how long can
[Russian President Vladimir] Putin sustain a war that he tells his
people is not happening? That's why we must provide defensive arms to
Ukraine. Putin does not want a diplomatic solution. He wants to dominate
Ukraine, as well as Russia's other neighbors. He may make tactical
compromises here or there, but just as a prelude to further aggression.
Mark my words."

 

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