Sec. Kerry : Russia "lying to my face on Ukraine"

[MBS]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/02/sec-of-state-john-kerry-russia-is-lying-to-my-face-about-having-troops-in-ukraine/

“Russia has engaged in a rather remarkable period of the most overt and extensive propaganda exercise that I’ve seen since the very height of the Cold War,” Kerry told US lawmakers.“And they have been persisting in their misrepresentations — lies — whatever you want to call them — about their activities there to my face, to the face of others, on many different occasions.”

Kerry has met multiple times in European cities with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov since the crisis erupted in early 2014.
Asked whether Russia was lying when it denied that there were Russian troops or weapons in Ukraine, Kerry replied: “Yes.”
“Russia is engaged in a massive effort to sway nations, to appeal to them, reach out to them, and fundamentally, tragically, sort of reigniting a new kind of East-West zero sum game that we think is dangerous and unnecessary, frankly,” Kerry said.
. . .
“Until the president makes his decision, I’m going to keep my consultations personal and private with him,” Kerry said, when asked whether he would support sending in heavy weapons.

But he urged the world and Congress to increase its economic support for Ukraine.
“We all need to be prepared to step up and be there economically for Ukraine as they reform and try to implement their dream and vision,” Kerry told the Senate appropriations committee at the start of two days of budget hearings.
“It’s not good enough to have (President Petro) Poroshenko come here and get 40 standing ovations, and then not step up and deliver what it’s really going to take to help him create the democracy he wants to create.”

[YvonneCa]

1. Thank you for this...

...MBS. I'm watching the CSpan replay of the Senate hearing now. I had to be out earlier today when it was live. He is doing a magnificent job. He really excels at answering policy questions. And the committee is asking good questions...pertinent and informed...and showing him deserved respect, even those that don't always share his views.
It's a very informative hearing.

[MBS]

2. archived video is here

http://www.c-span.org/video/?324514-1/secretary-john-kerry-testimony-state-department-fiscal-year-2016-budget
Just starting to watch it now-- his opening statement is terrific.

Apparently he's talking to the House Foreign Affairs committee today. . give 'em hell, JK.

[YvonneCa]

3. I'm watching the House now...just starting.

And couldn't say it better...
"Give 'em hell, JK!"

[karynnj]

4. I watched part of the House one - haven't seen the Senate one yet

Three observations:

1) He really is good on his feet with concise answers - and a willingness to be open that everything is not firm yet.

2) Some Republicans just want to filibuster -- and JK was funny when the Chair indicated that if the members used all the time, Kerry would have to respond in writing. He smiled and said he had no problem with just sitting listening to questions. Many Rs were simply rude - especially one (from Texas) who thought he was clever in rambling on asking who the enemy was, who was attacked and the plan. ( This had to do with the Republican mantra that the fight was against radical Islam. Kerry's answer was great - that SOME were motivated by a distorted version of Islam, but many were criminal thugs .. adventurers.

3) Kerry's good nature, politeness and patience was pretty unbelievable.

Many Democrats were great - Meeks listed many examples of leadership of multinational efforts as what he said were examples of real leadership. Another Democrat listed many things including eliminating the Syrian chemical weapons that could otherwise have potentially been in ISIS hands in a long list of things that he credited Obama/Kerry for.

A very neat answer was given when asked to respond to Netanyahu's comments - Kerry noted that just as he was asking people to wait until they saw what was in the plan before attacking it, he should wait to hear Netanyahu's speech -- and that he would respond if he disagreed. Very nice indirect slap as he took the high road.