France Seeks End To Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine

[Purveyor]

Source: BBC

French President Francois Hollande says he wants Western sanctions on Russia to be lifted if progress is made in talks on the Ukraine conflict this month.

He did not specify which sanctions - imposed by the EU, US and Canada - could be lifted. The sanctions began after Russia annexed Crimea in March.

Mr Hollande said Russian President Vladimir Putin "doesn't want to annex eastern Ukraine - he told me that".

Germany's vice-chancellor has warned against further sanctions on Russia.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30679176

[jakeXT]

1. .

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2822120/French-farmers-dump-hundreds-tonnes-manure-streets-spray-city-building-slurry-day-protest.html

[uhnope]

2. Appeasement. No comment on how this plays into certain French stereotypes

those stereotypes are unfair
but it's embarrassing for France to put themselves out there as the first appeaser of Putin and the rule of his thugs in occupied eastern Ukraine:

[Scootaloo]

7. Do you live in Europe, uhnope?

[uhnope]

9. I have. Been all over Europe

[Scootaloo]

10. Do you think the rest of Europe would benefit from a bankrupt Russia?

[uhnope]

16. It's a very complicated question.

Did we ask that about the fall of the USSR?
But Europe definitely would benefit from a Russia that's not invading its neighbors--the aim of the sanctions

[RiverNoord]

17. Personally, I'd love to live just across the border with a heavily armed massive country

with a vast stockpile of nuclear weapons, a strong trend of surging nationalism, a leader who has been winning a propaganda war at home concerning a 'not-war' with a different neighbor, and a financial sector near collapse.

What's not to love?

Um... wait

[branford]

3. It's serious commentary on the poor state of certain European economies,

and how, unlike the USA, their financial systems are intertwined with Russia, particularly energy.

[cosmicone]

4. I bet some DUers will be looking for

freedom-fries and freedom-toast now.

[uhnope]

5. and some DUers are breaking out the vodka

[cosmicone]

11. The best vodka doesn't come from Russia anymore

Belvedere comes from Poland and Grey Goose comes from France ... Freedom Vodka

[cosmicone]

14. Freedom cake? Freedom engineering? Freedom silver? n/t

[uhnope]

15. you might want to at least pretend to contain your glee

for the sake of appearances.

A long game of marbles, perhaps http://time.com/3636313/putin-russia-economy-ruble-collapse/

[jakeXT]

8. If...Poroshenko transfers military equipment to Ukrainian army

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has transferred more than 100 items of modernized military equipment, including armored vehicles, aircraft and weapon systems, to the country's army.

During the handover, which took place on January 5 at a military range in Zhytomyr region, the president said that this was the third time in a month that the government has transferred armored vehicles, tanks, infantry fighting vehicle, howitzers, mortars, aircraft and other equipment to the military.

http://www.nrcu.gov.ua/en/148/586664/

[cosmicone]

12. Poroshenko is itching for a military confrontation

He thinks he can win it.

[davidpdx]

18. Notice the wording though.....

French President Francois Hollande says he wants Western sanctions on Russia to be lifted if progress is made in talks on the Ukraine conflict this month.

[jakeXT]

19. progress in talks or results after talks ? /nt