Ukraine leak designed to ‘split’ EU-US diplomacy / The international dimension of the Ukrainian situation

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Series Details 07.02.14
Publication Date 07/02/2014
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EUObserver and other news sources reported on the 7 February 2014 of the posting on YouTube of leaked conversations by EU and US diplomats on issues relating to Ukraine. Thought to be leaked by Russia to damage EU-US relations.

Subsequently, Victoria Nuland, the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the United States Department of State apologised to EU officials after a voice recording of her using crude language about the EU with the US ambassador to Kyiv had been made available on YouTube.

The Guardian wrote 'The frustration of the Obama administration at Europe’s hesitant policy over the pro-democracy protests in Ukraine has been laid bare in a leaked phone conversation between two senior US officials...'.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the US official's apparent insult of the EU's efforts to mediate in the Ukraine crisis was 'totally unacceptable'.

Ms Merkel was said to fully support the work done by EU foreign policy High Representative Catherine Ashton to find a solution to the crisis in Ukraine.

EU foreign affairs ministers met in Brussels on the 10 February 2014, where they discussed the Ukrainian issue. Uncertainty was maintained on enlargement perspectives, potential sanctions and Russia, as Ukraine's economic situation deteriorated. The EU foreign affairs ministers' conclusions on Ukraine were welcomed by Yevgeniy Perebiynis, director of the Information department of the Ukrainian foreign ministry, who called them "balanced" and praised the EU for avoiding the term "sanctions". The official also said Kyiv was interested in possible EU financial assistance.

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle continued the EU's political efforts in helping Ukraine to find a solution to the political crisis. He held talks with partners in Kyiv on 11-13 February 2014.

On the 14 February 2014, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov criticzed the EU's role in Ukraine's political crisis. During a visit from German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Russian minister accused the bloc of expanding its "sphere of influence."

Source Link Link to Main Source http://euobserver.com/foreign/123036
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Ukraine crisis creates bad will between Nato and Russia / EU to step in as mediator in Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-crisis-creates-bad-will-between-nato-and-russia-eu-to-step-in-as-mediator-in-ukraine/
BBC News, 07.02.14: Ukraine crisis: Leaked phone call embarrasses US http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26072281
EurActiv, 07.02.14: US envoy says 'F**k the EU' in leaked recording http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/us-envoy-ukraine-fk-eu-news-533334
Wikipedia: Victoria Nuland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Nuland
The Guardian, 07.02.14: US official apologises to EU counterparts for undiplomatic language http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/06/us-ukraine-russia-eu-victoria-nuland
The New York Times, 06.02.14: U.S. Points to Russia as Diplomats’ Private Call Is Posted on Web http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/world/europe/us-points-to-russia-as-diplomats-private-call-is-posted-on-web.html?_r=0
RIA Novosti, 07.02.14: US Accuses Russia of Leaking Diplomat Conversation on Ukraine http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140207/187287869/US-Accuses-Russia-of-Leaking-Diplomat-Conversation-on-Ukraine.html
Euronews, 07.02.14: US embarrassed by apparent hacked phone call dismissing EU on Ukraine http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/07/us-embarrassed-by-apparent-hacked-phone-call-dismissing-eu-on-ukraine/
Deutsche Welle, 07.02.14: US official apologizes to EU over disparaging remarks http://dw.de/p/1B4X4
EUObserver, 07.02.14: US makes light of 'curse words' on EU http://euobserver.com/foreign/123044
BBC News, 07.02.14: Victoria Nuland gaffe: Angela Merkel condemns EU insult http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26080715
Deutsche Welle, 10.02.14: Ukraine protests take center-stage at EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels http://dw.de/p/1B6Se
BBC News, 11.02.14: Ukraine's failing economy: Who is to blame? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26127210
EUObserver, 10.02.14: EU gives Ukraine enlargement hint http://euobserver.com/foreign/123078
Euronews, 11.02.14: EU raises possibility of sanctions against Ukraine if situation deteriorates http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/11/eu-raises-possibility-of-sanctions-against-ukraine-if-situation-deteriorates/
Euronews, 10.02.14: Doubts emerge over Russian aid to Ukraine http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/10/doubts-emerge-over-russian-aid-to-ukraine/
ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-ukraine-3/
EurActiv, Kyiv praises EU’s ‘balanced position’ on Ukraine http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/kyiv-praises-eu-balanced-positio-news-533424
European Commission: RAPID: Statement, STATEMENT/14/6: EU-Ukraine: "Only a Ukrainian plan can work" http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-6_en.pdf
EUObserver [Interview], 13.02.14: Ukraine accession promise would help EU-Russia relations http://euobserver.com/foreign/123125
Deutsche Welle [Interview], 12.02.14: Former US ambassador to Ukraine: 'The EU and the US have leverage' http://dw.de/p/1B7Kc
Euronews, 13.02.14: EU says financial help is available for Ukraine if it reforms http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/13/eu-says-financial-help-is-available-for-ukraine-if-it-reforms/
Deutsche Welle, 14.02.14: Russia criticizes EU attempts to expand 'sphere of influence' in Ukraine http://dw.de/p/1B8NE

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