Subject: UPDATED Russia/Ukraine TPs
From: "Burns Strider (CTRFF)" <[email-masked]>
To: CTRFriendsFamily <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 17:11:00 -0400
List-Id: <CTRFriendsFamily.americanbridge.org>

TALKING POINTS: HILLARY CLINTON ON RUSSIA, UKRAINE 

BACKGROUND: In the last two weeks, Secretary Clinton has provided new insight about the reset with Russia, vocalized her concerns about Russian President Putin, and his role in the continuing conflict in Ukraine – especially after a civilian airplane was shot down by what evidence suggests were pro-Russian militants. 

Russian Reset: 

·         In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria airing Sunday, Hillary Clinton discussed the reset with Russia and how and why U.S.-Russian relations have changed since

·         According to Secretary Clinton, “So when he [Putin] announced in the fall of 2011 that he would be changing positions with Medvedev, I knew that he would be more difficult to deal with. He had been always the power behind Medvedev, but he had given Medvedev a lot of independence to do exactly what you said and make the reset a success.” [CNN, 7/25/14] 

·         Clinton continued, stating, “I think that what may have happened is that both the United States and Europe were really hoping for the best from Putin as a returned president. And I think we've been quickly, unfortunately, disabused of those hopes. [CNN,7/25/14] 

The Downed Airplane: 

·         Discussing Putin’s responsibility for the downed plane in an interview airing Sunday, Clinton said, "I think if there were any doubt it should be gone by now, that Vladimir Putin, certainly indirectly -- through his support of the insurgents in eastern Ukraine and the supply of advanced weapons and, frankly, the presence of Russian Special Forces and intelligence agents -- bears responsibility for what happened." [CNN,7/25/14] 

·         While the U.S. has been very clear in its criticism of Putin and Russia, Secretary Clinton believes the Europeans could do more. In an interview airing Sunday, she said, “The United States has continued to move forward on that, Europe has been reluctant…They need to understand they must stand up to Vladimir Putin." [CNN, 7/25/14] 

·         Secretary Clinton thinks that “Putin is pushing the envelope as far as he thinks he can” and “the only language he understands is one that is very tough, very patient, very clear.” [The Charlie Rose Show, 7/17/14] 

·         Europe needs to toughen their own sanctions, find alternatives to Russian oil, and do more to help support the Ukrainians protect themselves and their borders. 

·         According to Clinton, Putin needs to know “that there is a price to pay for this kind of behavior.” [Associated Press,7/21/14] 

Hillary on Russia as Secretary of State: 

·         As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was clear-eyed about Putin. Any other characterization is patently false. In 2008, she publicly pointed to Putin’s past as a KGB agent and warned that he couldn’t be trusted.  

·         Clinton warned of concerns in late 2012 that Russia was trying to re-Sovietize Eastern Europe. 

·         Secretary Clinton worked arduously to advance American interests with Russia, even in tough circumstances.

·         Secretary Clinton worked successfully to secure Russia’s cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan, reaching a historic “lethal transit” agreement, allowing U.S. military planes to transport lethal materials over Russia to Afghanistan.   

·         She worked with Russia to secure critical, crippling sanctions against Iran.   

·         Not to mention, Secretary Clinton oversaw passage and enactment of the New START Treaty reducing nuclear weapons and making us all safer.