The visit wasn’t smiles and pep-talk, as Nuland appeared to even take a jab at Russia by speaking on the alleged ‘Russian military’ members captured in Ukraine. She also indicated that the US wanted to play a more active role in the Minsk Agreements. After Kerry’s ice-breaking visit, it now seems like the US is willing to at least pay lip-service by talking to Russia, although it’s not clear how serious it is in making any political concessions to gain its support.
Nonetheless, that may be what the US needs to do in order to resolve the Syrian and Ukrainian Crises. In a new sign ice may be breaking Nuland trip was followed by David Rubenstein, the US Special Envoy on Syria visit to Moscow, with both President Obama’s envoys pledging to meet more with their Russian counterparts.
Sergei Oznobischev, Director of the Institute of Strategic Assessment (studio guest), Chris Shipler, an American political commentator from the West Coast and Paul Grenier, an independent writer in the U.S, who worked for the Pentagon, State Department and World Bank as a Russian interpreter commented on the issue.
