Poroshenko in Munich receives reassurances from allies, offers little new

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko gave little new information or ideas at the 53rd Munich Security Conference over the weekend, though he did leave the sound bite “Putin hates Ukraine”. However, after his meeting with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday, Feb. 18, he claimed that he received a “very strong message supporting Ukraine” from the White House. Furthermore, he brushed aside questions concerning a reversal from the U.S., saying that there has been a consistent message from Pence and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Despite the lack of new offerings from Poroshenko, Ukraine, and with it Russia, did figure in Munich. Vice President Pence told the assembly at Munich, “Know this: The United States will continue to hold Russia accountable, even as we search for new common ground”.

On Feb. 18, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov announced the beginning of a new cease fire in Donbas and the withdrawal of heavy weaponry (which was already announced on Feb. 16). However, Russian President Vladimir Putin also signed a decree in Moscow on Saturday authorizing Russia to temporarily recognize documents issued by the breakaway LNR and DNR governments.

James Hydzik: That President Poroshenko did not offer much at this international venue is disconcerting, but probably a sound tactic when the emphasis is on what the Trump White House is really up to in foreign policy. The hardening of attitudes is apparent in both Washington and Moscow, though, and Ukraine may become a pivot upon which American policy turns as Russian actions could force a rapprochement off the table. The Russian idea of “Trump Nash” seems to be rapidly fading, and Russian recognition of LNR/DNR documents, on the back of last week’s insistence that Russia will not discuss Crimean affairs with its foreign partners is evidence of this. At the same time, other forms of asymmetrical warfare have been heating up, and must be kept in mind as well (see other news in this daily).