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Throughout the crisis in the Ukraine the United States has been out maneuvered and Russia continues to act unabated without any fear from the west; especially the U.S.

On April 17th top diplomats from Russia, the United States and the European Union came to agreement to set in motion a series of steps to defuse the political situation in Ukraine; even though many doubted the sincerity of Russia to adhere to the agreement.

The agreement called for all parties, including separatists and their supporters in Moscow, to halt all violent and threating acts, with all groups being disarmed. The agreement made no mention of Russian forces massed along Ukraine’s eastern borders.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, commenting on U.S. expectations, “We fully expect the Russians . . . to demonstrate their seriousness by insisting that the pro-Russian separatists who they’ve been supporting lay down their arms [and] leave the buildings” in eastern Ukraine, he said. “I made clear to Foreign Minister [Sergei] Lavrov today that if we are not able to see progress . . . this weekend, then we will have no choice but to impose further costs on Russia.”

In a statement, President Obama was unsure if Russia would even honor the agreement, “My hope is that we actually do see follow-through over the next several days, but I don’t think, given past performance, that we can count on that,” Obama said during a White House press conference. “We have to be prepared to potentially respond to what continue to be, you know, efforts of interference by the Russians in eastern and southern Ukraine.”  

The president continued to threaten further economic sanctions against Russia and continued his unwavering support for Ukraine.

Over the weekend the agreement became worthless as operatives and separatist continued to expand into various parts of Eastern Ukraine with Moscow’s support.  The Obama administration has not followed up on his rhetorical condemnation for further sanctions on Russia if Moscow did not honor the agreement.

Currently Vice President Joseph Biden is in Ukraine as a show of support for the government in Kiev, and again chastised Russian involvement in the crisis, as they would face severe repercussions if they continued with their current course of action.

The unfortunate aspect is that the administration keeps signaling they are prepared to act but nothing ever comes of it.  The agreement was agreed upon last week, even the president was doubtful it would succeed.

Then over the weekend, instead of deescalating the situation, the situation has become increasingly dire with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threatening invasion of Ukraine, “Russia is increasingly called upon to save southeastern Ukraine from Chaos.”

Throughout the crisis the president and Secretary Kerry have been routinely out maneuvered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Foreign Minister Lavrov.

The rest of the world and our allies across the globe are watching and wondering about the commitment by the president but most importantly the commitment of the United States.

The president needs to stop threatening Russia, it just rings hollow, as Putin does not fear the U.S. or the president; sometimes it might be better if the president just remains silent. 

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