Pence: US will hold Russia accountable

[Brian4Liberty]

Pence: US will hold Russia accountable (http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/18/politics/pence-munich-russia-foreign-policy/index.html)


Munich, Germany (CNN) - Aiming to calm European fears about US-Russia ties, Vice President Mike Pence told world leaders Saturday that the United States will stand firm against Moscow while also seeking avenues for cooperation.
...
"Know this: the United States will continue to hold Russia accountable, even as we search for new common ground, which as you know, President Trump believes can be found," Pence said during remarks at the Munich Security Conference, the first major foreign policy address of the Trump administration.
...
Pence: US 'strongly supports NATO'
...
US troops deploy to Bulgaria as part of NATO operation

"Today, on behalf of President Trump, I bring you this assurance," Pence said. "The United States of America strongly supports NATO and will be unwavering in our commitment to our transatlantic alliance."
...
VP skeptical of Iran deal

Pence didn't mention the EU during his remarks, and he cast deep skepticism on the Iran nuclear deal, which the European bloc helped broker along with President Barack Obama's administration.

Pence said that loosening sanctions on Iran as part of the agreement had helped Tehran finance terrorists, a line that was met with silence inside the ornate Hotel Bayerischer Hof, where the annual security conference is held.

More enthusiastic was the response to Pence's insistence that Russia adhere to a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, which was established in 2014 but routinely broken since.

"We must hold Russia accountable and demand that they honor the Minsk Agreements, beginning by de-escalating the violence in eastern Ukraine," Pence said.
...
More: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/18/politics/pence-munich-russia-foreign-policy/index.html

[Brian4Liberty]

The Bill Kristol plan...


"Does this episode strengthen Pence or weaken Pence?" asked William Kristol, editor at large of the Weekly Standard, a conservative magazine and who served as chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle. "That's what everybody is trying to figure out.".
...
Those who know him said he is thinking ahead, believing that as vice president, he is likely to outlast advisers whose positions may be more tenuous.

"Pence is trying to play a long game, keeping his head down and keeping his powder dry, assuming some of the more flamboyant types will blow up or blow out and he will be there as a trusted counselor a year or so from now," Kristol said. But, he added, "the long game can mislead you. If you end up keeping your powder dry and never using it, you end up being just another guy in the White House."
...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-mike-pence-trump-inner-circle-20170214-story.html

[nikcers]

Vice President Mike Pence has met with the president of Ukraine and assured him of U.S. support.
Pence's office says he "underscored U.S. support" for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and underlined that the U.S. does not recognize "Russia's occupation and attempted annexation" of Crimea.

[goldenequity]

"Know this: The United States will continue to hold Russia accountable,
even as we search for new common ground which as you know
President Trump believes can be found," Pence said.

(Pence is barely containing his inner neocon, praise Jesus. :rolleyes: )


"There appear to be two distinct foreign policy axes
emerging in the Trump administration -
there is a Pence/Mattis/Haley foreign policy
and a Trump/Bannon/Miller foreign policy."

[goldenequity]

►Judging by certain statements at Munich Conference, "cold war" is still not over — Lavrov (http://tass.com/politics/931659)

https://cdn1.tass.ru/width/744_b12f2926/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20170218/1161790.jpg

►US tanks arrive to Romania | February 14th 2017


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9766lIALGM

►Putin says NATO Pushing Russia to War (http://alwaght.com/en/News/88190)

http://alwaght.com/upload/logo/2017216_7/2017216181342742.jpg


“In fact, they are constantly provoking us, trying to drag us into a confrontation,”
Putin stated, adding that NATO members “are continuing their efforts to interfere in our domestic affairs
with the goal of destabilizing social and political order in Russia proper.”

Putin added that foreign intelligence agencies continue intensive operations in Russia.

“In the past year 53 foreign intelligence operatives and 386 agents of foreign intelligence services have been busted,” he said.

The president also expressed regret over Russia and Western nations
no longer coordinating efforts to fight against common enemies such as terrorist groups.

“It's in everyone's interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO,” Putin said.

Meanwhile Putin has said Russia’s FSB plays a key role in protecting constitutional order and the country’s sovereignty,"

"The state will continue to strengthen the central office and territorial branches of the FSB,
provide them with modern weapons and equipment as well as
"provide social guaranties to the FSB officers and their family members," Putin noted

(ha.. you betchyerass the west is constantly trying to bribe-for-spys and provocateurs)

Moscow disappointed with U.S. vice president's words on Russia's responsibility for implementation of Minsk Agreements.

LAVROV PROCLAIMS POST-WESTERN GLOBAL ORDER AT MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE


WORLD CLASS TROLLING (timing impeccable)

►Lavrov: "Russia will not lift sanctions against EU until Minsk deal on East Ukraine is fully implemented." (https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=https%3A%2F%2Fria.ru%2Fpolitics%2F20170218%2F148 8296555.html&edit-text=) (hahaha)

►Russian Foreign Minister calls for a 'post-West' international order

►Putin signs decree on recognition of documents given to Donbass people (http://tass.com/politics/931690)

https://phototass3.cdnvideo.ru/width/744_b12f2926/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20170218/1161794.jpg


MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree
‘On recognition in the Russian Federation of the documents and license plates of vehicles
issued to Ukraine’s citizens and persons without citizenship,
who permanently reside in the areas of certain districts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Lugansk regions."

The Kremlin’s press service says that it was done
"so as to protect rights and freedoms of a person and a citizen
and in accordance with generally accepted principles and norms
of international humanitarian law.".

(This stops 'just shy' of officially recognizing the Independence of Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) and Lugansk Peoples Republic (LPR) )



Sergey Bobkov
►#Donbass BREAKING: #Putin signs a new law that recognizes legitimacy of #DPR/#LPR passports & other official documents, car license plates.

DPR & LPR PASSPORTS RECOGNIZED


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=filUeIuP4rA



Germany: Porky hits out at Russia’s validation of Donbass passports


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPdvuFu7Dj4

►McCain & Porkey

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C48sflzXUAAfojD.jpg:large

►Normandy Four ministerial meeting has begun in Munich (http://tass.com/world/931689)
After posing for photos, ministers began the talks behind closed doors
Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine

Lavrov Reviews the 'Normandy Four' diplomatic efforts
on the Worthless, Ignored 'Minsk Agreement'
that cannot be 'enforced' as it is constantly sabotaged by
Ukr frontline Nazis & Corrupt Kiev Coupsters... IT'S A JOKE!
(and Pence demands 'Russia' enforce it. Ridiculous.)

Maria Zakharova looks exhausted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEacdQ76SJY

.
►Moldova Army cancels participation in NATO “Platinum Eagle” exercise in Romania, at the request of President Dodon (http://www.moldova.org/en/moldova-army-cancels-participation-platinum-eagle-exercise-romania-request-president-dodon/)

(so, with the newly elected President, not only have they reconciled with Transnistria (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transnistria) but are wisely resisting the threats/bribes of hegemons.)


Soldiers of the National Army were not allowed to participate, during February 20-March 1,
at the “Platinum Eagle” joint exercises of troops from
Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

►Albania: Effigy of PM Rama burns as thousands rally against govt. corruption (Mafia Rama & Soros fu*k off?? )


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7TK7Nhp3B4

[AngryCanadian]

“But what would alarm them most, I think, is a sense that many of our peoples, including in my own country, are giving up on the West, that they see it as a bad deal that we may be better off without, and that while Western nations still have the power to maintain our world order, it's unclear whether we have the will.”
The 90s/80s world order is about to die.


“They would be alarmed by the hardening resentment we see towards immigrants and refugees and minority groups -- especially Muslims.”

Those poor little men and children oh wait.

[goldenequity]

TRUMP WANTS $$MONEY$$


NATO
One of NATO's bigger fears remains on the table:
Trump's demand that alliance members satisfy their spending obligations.
In his remarks, Pence reaffirmed what Jim Mattis said earlier in the week,
when he reinforced the Trump administration's message that NATO members must spend more on defense.

NATO's 28-member countries committed in 2014
to spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense within a decade.
But only the U.S. and four other members of the post-World War II military coalition
are meeting the standard, Pence said.

http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user5/imageroot/2017/02/08/NATO%20spending.jpg

"Let me be clear on this point: The president of the United States expects our allies to keep their word,
to fulfill this commitment and, for most, that means the time has come to do more," Pence said.

IRAQI OIL 2.0

Pence is also expected to meet with the leaders of Iraq and Afghanistan,
where the U.S. is embroiled in two separate wars.
Trump has made clear his intention to defeat the Islamic State group.
But he also said the U.S. may get a second chance to take Iraqi oil
as compensation for its efforts in the war-torn country,
a notion rebuffed by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi,
who will be meeting with the vice president.

[goldenequity]

There's a lot in this piece...
Russia will have completely paid off the 'debt' of the USSR this Spring for instance..
written off the debts of several countries...
has plans to help struggling Brazilian oil...
is considering defensive preparations for 'Iranian style' sanctions against Russia by the West
including 'freezing of accounts & assets' using global banking cabal as a punishment tool.

In preparation for the banking attack...
Russia is pondering a COMPLETE EMBARGO of partnering with/co-mingling funds/assets
of Russian STRATEGIC STATE COMPANIES with corporations, banks and/or companies
based in or affiliated with Western Countries... Switzerland excepted of course.

TASS
Russia’s Finance Ministry mulls banking embargo for ‘unfriendly states ’from cooperating with Russia’s strategic state companies. (http://tass.com/pressreview/931441)


Moiseyev announced that the respective resolution is already being drawn up. Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes that apparently the Russian authorities do not expect the new US administration to take steps towards a thaw in ties and are gearing up to escalate the already strained situation.

Moscow apparently fears that the anti-Russian sanctions will not only remain in force, but will be toughened to the levels of the so-called Iranian scenario, where the accounts of companies opened in the banks of other countries may be frozen, the paper writes.

Russia’s authorities have decided to extend the embargo on foreign banks, the paper says. Moiseyev said the Finance Ministry has drawn up a draft regulation with demands for banks where the state companies, federal state unitary enterprises, state non-budget funds may open accounts, make deposits and purchase securities of these banks.

One of the proposals is that the government could decide on excluding a bank from the list if its parent company is based in a country that took an "unfriendly decision against Russia." "Unfriendly" meaning those states that introduced anti-Russian sanctions and which are subject to Russia’s food embargo. Among them are the EU states, Norway, the United States, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Albania, Montenegro and Ukraine. Switzerland is not on this list and may not be subject to the proposed banking ban.

[goldenequity]

LAST NIGHT IN DONETSK...


Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 19.02.2017
https://dninews.com/article/donetsk-defense-situation-report-19022017

http://www.therussophile.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dninews.comb1-679d5d44794f62abc48006a703947892b82f938d-1024x683-280x140.jpg

"The situation in the Donetsk People’s Republic dramatically escalated.
Shellings from the AFU positions won’t stop.
The enemy continues shelling districts of the Republic’s localities: "
Mikhailovka,
Dolomitnoye,
Krasny Partizan,
Ozeryanovka,
Krutaya Balka,
Yasinovataya,
Spartak,
Yakovlevka,
Zhabichevo,
Vesyoloye,
Signalnoye,
Luganskoye,
Staromikhailovka,
Alexandrovka,
Novonikolayevka,
Novozhilovka,
Elenovka,
Dokuchayevsk,
Starolaspa,
Belaya Kamenka,
Novolaspa,
Novomarievka,
Staromarievka,
Leninskoye,
Sakhanka,
Kominternovo,
Oktyabr, […]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C48sflzXUAAfojD.jpg:large

[Chomp]

The situation inside Ukraine itself is bad. Economically and politically. People are very upset and the third maidan is likely going to happen. Likely pro-Russian.

[Brian4Liberty]

Pence underscores support for Ukraine in Poroshenko meeting (http://thehill.com/policy/international/320258-pence-underscores-us-commitment-to-ukraine)


Vice President Pence on Saturday sought to reassure Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that the U.S. is committed to Ukraine and does not recognize Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

According to a White House read out of the meeting, Pence expressed concern about the recent wave of violence and instability in eastern Ukraine and both leaders agreed "on the need for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire."

"The Vice President underscored U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-determination and underlined that the United States does not recognize Russia's occupation and attempted annexation of the Crimean peninsula," the White House said.
...
Pence also praised Ukraine for its political reforms, while agreeing with Poroshenko about the need "to transform Ukraine into a secure, prosperous, European country for all its citizens."
...
http://thehill.com/policy/international/320258-pence-underscores-us-commitment-to-ukraine

[pcosmar]

Between the double talk and media spin,,

I really can't tell what direction it's going.

[Brian4Liberty]

Between the double talk and media spin,,

I really can't tell what direction it's going.

At the surface level, it's a "Pence good, he needs more power to tame Trump" narrative. And as usual, there is the war mongering and anti-Russia agitprop.

[P3ter_Griffin]

Between the double talk and media spin,,

I really can't tell what direction it's going.

From day one from it was Nikki Haley's 'sanctions will remain on Russia until they return Crimea', we have seen several iterations of that: 'US expects that Russia will return Crimea', 'US expects Russia to abide by Minsk agreement' from Spicer, Tillerson, and now Pence. If Trump disagrees with his appointees or VP or spoke-person's assessment on what the White House's position is he has not made it clear. Pence's statements seem like a reaffirmation of the administration's position to me.

[TheTexan]

Russia is trying to manipulate our government, into fostering a productive & healthy relationship with Russia.

Not gonna fall for it.

[seapilot]

It is deeply troubling that Bill Kristol has influence on Pence.

[Brian4Liberty]

From day one from it was Nikki Haley's 'sanctions will remain on Russia until they return Crimea', we have seen several iterations of that: 'US expects that Russia will return Crimea', 'US expects Russia to abide by Minsk agreement' from Spicer, Tillerson, and now Pence. If Trump disagrees with his appointees or VP or spoke-person's assessment on what the White House's position is he has not made it clear. Pence's statements seem like a reaffirmation of the administration's position to me.

Nikki Haley is also a neocon, so one must wonder if this is just the neocon agenda. Does Trump agree? Who knows? Has he tweeted that Crimea must be returned to Ukraine? Does he have a strong opinion on this at all?

[nikcers]

Nikki Haley is also a neocon, so one must wonder if this is just the neocon agenda. Does Trump agree? Who knows? Has he tweeted that Crimea must be returned to Ukraine? Does he have a strong opinion on this at all?

Whatever this means to you lol

831846101179314177

[Brian4Liberty]

Whatever this means to you lol

831846101179314177

Good example. Maybe Trump does agree with the neocons on Crimea.

[P3ter_Griffin]

Nikki Haley is also a neocon, so one must wonder if this is just the neocon agenda. Does Trump agree? Who knows? Has he tweeted that Crimea must be returned to Ukraine? Does he have a strong opinion on this at all?

I'm just saying that I don't think this is a sign of a long-game plan by Pence. I think the doubt about it rises because Pence's statements came the same week that Flynn was fired. A google news search dated to prior to Flynn's firing comes up with these headlines:

Baltic leaders plan to meet with new US vice president in Munich in February

Pence, Mattis To Lead US Delegation To Munich Security Summit

Merkel to meet US Vice President Pence at 'critical' Munich Security Conference


Sounds like this was just Pence's 'time to shine' and he repeated pretty much what we've been hearing so far and that it would have happened irrespective of Flynn's firing.

[goldenequity]

From day one from it was Nikki Haley's 'sanctions will remain on Russia until they return Crimea', we have seen several iterations of that: 'US expects that Russia will return Crimea', 'US expects Russia to abide by Minsk agreement' from Spicer, Tillerson, and now Pence. If Trump disagrees with his appointees or VP or spoke-person's assessment on what the White House's position is he has not made it clear. Pence's statements seem like a reaffirmation of the administration's position to me.

We are/were all wondering the same thing.... the answer may be found here (https://sputniknews.com/politics/201702201050857437-lavrov-crimea-lease-reports/).
In Trump's mind: clever.
In Lavrov's mind: lame.

[goldenequity]

Bannon Breaks With Pence, Delivers Warning To Europe (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-02-21/bannon-breaks-pence-delivers-warning-europe)

Today, confirming that there is indeed a schism when it comes to the administration's diplomatic objectives, Reuters writes that in the week before VP Mike Pence visited Brussels and pledged America's "steadfast and enduring" commitment to the European Union, Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon met with the German ambassador and delivered a different message. Bannon, according to Reuters' sources, signaled to Germany's ambassador to Washington that he viewed the EU as a flawed construct and favoured conducting relations with Europe on a bilateral basis.

In other words, Bannon voiced the same conerns made by others about the sustainability of the European experiment, if not in polite company, and was preparing how to address Europe's "failure" through bilateral trade treaties, the same as the recently "free" UK is doing currently with all of its former trading partners.