US, Russia, EU Facilitated 'Power Transition' in Ukraine

Turns out that when Barack Obama spoke about his country’s role in the transition of power in Ukraine, he meant that the United States, together with the EU and Russia “brokered a deal” to help Ukraine move toward democracy.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US President Barack Obama's remarks about his country's role in the transition of power in Ukraine referred to the joint efforts of the United States, Russia and the EU to help Ukraine move toward democracy, a White House source told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

On February 1, Obama said that the United States "had brokered a deal to transition power in Ukraine," in an interview to CNN. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Obama's remarks proved Washington's direct involvement in the Ukrainian coup.

"We worked with the Government of Ukraine, the opposition, and with other stakeholders to reach an agreement to put Ukraine back on track toward fulfilling the aspirations of the Ukrainian people for democracy, respect for human rights, European integration and long-term economic growth," the source said.

The source pointed out that this process included not only the United States, but representatives of Russia and the EU as well.

On February 22, 2014, a coup took place in Ukraine following which a government with a strong nationalist element came to power. After the coup, in April, the new Kiev authorities launched a military operation in Ukraine's southeast in an attempt to suppress pro-independence fighters that refused to recognize them.