Obama Might Skip Sochi G8 Summit If Russia Intervenes In Ukraine - U.S. Official

[Purveyor]

Source: REUTERS

Published: Saturday March 1, 2014 MYT 8:10:02 AM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama and European leaders would consider skipping a G8 summit in Sochi, Russia planned for this summer if Russia intervenes militarily in Ukraine, a senior U.S. official said on Friday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States is consulting with its European partners on potential costs that might be imposed on Russia for any Ukraine intervention.

U.S. officials told Reuters that Washington has seen indications of troop movements from and into Ukraine's Crimea region on Friday, but their numbers are unclear, as are the intentions of those movements.

The senior U.S. official said the U.S. response could also include withholding deeper trade and commerce ties that Moscow is seeking.

Read more: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2014/03/01/Obama-might-skip-Sochi-G8-summit-if-Russia-intervenes-in-Ukraine--US-official/

[amandabeech]

1. Frankly, I'd be more impressed if it were Angela Merkel

who was threatening not to show up.

Germany gets about a third of its natural gas from Russia.

If Germany were willing to risk this, Putin might backpedal. He really needs to sell gas to Europe in order to get hard currency. If one of his best customers was willing to walk away, he might think twice about his adventurism.

Putin doesn't really need us all that much, unless he expects us to come to his aid if the Chinese invade Siberia.

[Purveyor]

4. Merkel is one tough gal, indeed! She certainly smacked down Cameron's hopes for overhaul of EU.

He never saw it coming.

Angela doesn't get the credit she deserves imo. One of the most stable and logical world leaders I can think of, other than Putin...

IMO, they are worthy geo-political opponents and Putin knows this also.

[amandabeech]

5. But what will she do?

I wonder if she is asleep tonight.

Vladdie is probably dreaming of the gates of Vienna. Or perhaps a nice trip down the autobahn. Let's hope that he does not always pursue his dreams.

[elleng]

2. I don't like the headline.

The first line of the story says: 'U.S. President Barack Obama and European leaders would consider skipping a G8 summit,' so the headline gives the wrong impression, that its President Obama's initiative to skip the summit.

'The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States is consulting with its European partners on potential costs that might be imposed on Russia for any Ukraine intervention.'

[customerserviceguy]

3. Who cares?

Summits are pretty much all bullshit anyway, whatever is formally agreed to at them was worked out weeks or even months in advance.

As long as we stay out of Eastern European affairs militarily (or even economically), it's fine with me. Let the people involved with the situation work it all out without interference from folks half a world away.