US Ambassador to Russia on sanctions against Moscow and elections in Ukraine

John Huntsman, the US ambassador to Russia, shared his hopes for a democratic outcome of the presidential elections in Ukraine, pointing out that there was no such transparency and fairness of the elections in Ukraine, and he spoke about Western sanctions against Moscow. Interviewed with a Huntsman Journalist Radio Liberty in Prague.

Photo: video frame YouTube / Stanford Graduate School of Business

— Question from Radio Liberty’s Twitter: “When will normal sanctions be introduced? Otherwise everything is just half measures.” From your point of view, do sanctions work?

— I wouldn’t call them half measures. I think these are very serious sanctions against individuals and companies. And now we have already introduced hundreds of sanctions. There are few things in American politics that unite Republicans and Democrats. This issue received almost 100 percent support from Republicans and Democrats in the US Senate. This question is a response to unfriendly actions emanating from Russia, such as the annexation of Crimea, the situation in Eastern Ukraine, Donbass, interference in elections, issues related to the Magnitsky Act on human rights. People in Congress have very definite strong opinions on these issues and how we should respond to them.

On the subject: 'From Hell': What US sanctions imposed against Russia over the past six years

So the issue of sanctions is not controversial in the US Congress. About everything else there is constant debate between right and left, Republicans and Democrats, and this issue is supported by both parties. It seems to me that it is too early to say whether the sanctions have achieved their goal. Sanctions are not a quick fix. They are designed to last for a long time. And we are more than interested in discussing the problems that led to these sanctions. It seems to me that this was lost in the process of discussing the issue of sanctions itself. Why talk about sanctions when you can talk about what led to the introduction of sanctions. We need to sit down at the negotiating table and talk about what led to the current situation. And as soon as these problems are solved, the sanctions will be lifted, and we will live in a different situation. But now this level of communication is difficult to achieve.

— Speaking about sanctions and reasons. Black Sea, incident with the seizure of Ukrainian ships. US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Gutchison said NATO was considering allowing alliance ships to escort the Ukrainian vessels. From your point of view, is this a risk? After all, President Putin himself said that he perceives NATO expansion as a direct threat. Could the situation in the region be even more dangerous than it is now?

- Not necessary. We have emerged from the 20th century, where millions of people died in war, died in two world wars. And for 70 years, NATO has maintained peace. It wasn't easy. But during this time the union has grown to 29 members who defend the freedom and liberties of almost a billion people who share common values ​​and through them common obligations. It is something special when countries come together for common values ​​and decide to protect each other based on those common values. So peace has been maintained for 70 years.

On the subject: How much does the US pay to the military?

This is an amazing success story. NATO will continue to strengthen and change, it will continue to try to understand how best to play its role, maintaining stability in the region. This is a very important deterrent force. When I look at NATO, I see only success. The union exists because it is needed, and billions of people are grateful that the peace and freedom of so many people are protected as a result of the existence of this successful collective security organization.

— If we return to the Black Sea. In your opinion, might the situation ease up a little now due to the elections in Ukraine? Could it be that Russia will try to somehow bribe the new president - Poroshenko or Zelensky?

— It’s interesting that full-fledged elections are taking place right on the border with Russia — in Ukraine. Democratic elections! Dozens of candidates, disputes and emotions of pre-election debates, many parties participate and all the time give rise to something that no one expected. This is how a democratic system works. This is a manifestation of the will of the people, the hopes of the population.

I often ask myself the question of what my friends in Moscow think about when they look at their neighbor and see how this fully-fledged democratic process, completely different from the other, is unwinding. When I look at this region, I see steps towards those principles that we support and which support many other countries: openness and transparency, freedom and democracy. And it all works.

On the subject: The United States appreciated the progress of Ukraine in war

There may be a new leader in Ukraine - it’s difficult to predict now, but we will all have to adapt to whoever the people choose. But I must say that we are deeply concerned about the issue of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which has been violated. And this is the main reason for the cooling of our relations with Russia today: the annexation of Crimea and the conflict that is taking place in Eastern Ukraine, which has already claimed the lives of 10 people. These problems have not been resolved. No positive steps have been taken to recreate the contours of a united and free Ukraine and respect the territorial integrity of a sovereign state. International law was violated.

And we believe in international law.

So we hope that after the elections - no matter who wins, Russia will join a useful process that will help the people of Ukraine to see their country restored, to see how peace is established in the eastern regions, which are now completely destabilized, and how the general tension gradually decreases. Now it's time to sit down at the negotiating table and find some solution. None of this has happened for several years.

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