WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is taking a wary, wait-and-see approach toward the new Ukraine peace agreement, which was reached without direct American input and as the U.S. considers whether to give defensive weapons to Ukraine and slap fresh sanctions on Russia.
Despite reservations about the agreement, U.S. officials say any action on lethal aid or new sanctions is on hold at least for the moment.
While welcoming the deal in principle, the administration is concerned that the compromise – struck on Thursday after 16 hours of negotiations in Minsk among the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine – may give too much to Russia and the pro-Russian rebels. U.S. officials are highly skeptical that either the rebels or Russia will abide by the pact, which lays out a series of phased steps for Ukraine and the separatists to take, starting with a cease-fire to begin on Sunday.
That skepticism was evident in notably cautious statements about the agreement issued by the White House, which described it as a “potentially significant step,” and Secretary of State John Kerry, who noted that there is “a long road ahead before achieving peace and the full restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty.”
“This agreement must now be followed by immediate, concrete steps to fulfill the commitments by all parties,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. “The true test of today’s accord will be in its full and unambiguous implementation, including the durable end of hostilities and the restoration of Ukrainian control over its border with Russia.”