Minister talking about the situation in his country. Then a house hearing on north korea. Live at 2 30, speeches by the candidates running for the u. S. Senate seat in kentucky. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2014] on tuesday, ukraines foreign shortly after his remarks, president obama announced expanded sanctions against russia. This is about an hour. It is indeed a pleasure to spay today at the atlantic today at theeak atlantic council. Proof ofoday a real Transatlantic Partnership and transatlantic solidarity. We are talking about the whole standing by us, standing behind us. Made todaydecision by the European Union about the next wave of sanctions. We dont need sanctions for the sake of sanctions. But its about the world we live in. The world where we have rules, where we have commitments, where we have legally binding commitments. About how to get back to the status quo, how to get back to the world where we have reliable and predictable people, bound by commitments and moral ground. Because of that, we need solidarity more than ever. Meeting. From every yesterday and today, we got solidarity in the eu. [indiscernible] why are we talking about and cant proceed to real solidarity and real engagement . Unfortunately, too late, and after a number of tragic events like shooting down the plane of Malaysian Airlines by russianbacked terrorists. What is going on really now . I believe that the world faces now the worst security situation since the cuban missile crisis of 1962. It is indeed about our understanding of the situation. It is about deescalation, but about understanding the implications for the future. We are still under attack in ukraine. Than ever, the terrorist forces still occupy considerable part of the region, although we have been advancing quite considerably. It is a bout a number of russian citizens, mainly russian who have links to Russian Special forces, who lead the terrorists. Who not about the people represent donetsk. Its about propaganda machine. Population into believing that splitting is with ukraine would mean a cleaned late clean slate in life. Building up criminal gangs, and seduce others. The intimidate those who refuse to obey. They have everything. They have the most modern fire guns. Now they can rely on sophisticated systems that can shoot down international airplanes. You can imagine, there is probably still the possibility of the kalashnikov on the market. How can you teach the terrorists . Forces areed increasingly more involved in fighting. Ofhad a number of cases shelling our troops. Intruding in ukrainian airspace, using all kinds of systems. It is a [indiscernible] kind of situation. And at unfair cost. Because we find for truth and we arecy, because anished, because we have clear idea what we need in ukraine. We need and we have clear commitment here. United, democratic, and european ukraine. [indiscernible] not as a symbol which is important for our european integration, but as a framework for future, for europeanoriented reforms. To carry outlt important reforms. We are ready to pay this price the road, the end of it is about us. It is about europe. About ukraine. With our european history, with , and ourean mentality location to europe. Unfortunately, not everyone seems to be supporting that paradigm. Because of that, we still have turmoil. Turmoil not because we have any sort of internal conflict here. We are ready to talk to real who areto our people probably under russian propaganda. We are ready to embrace any sort to give more toitical and economic power regions, districts, and communities. We are ready to show that it is to returnmon interest to normal life. It all started not only in donetsk. The annexation of ukraine seems to be forgotten for many. Crimea was ukrainian, is ukrainian, and will be ukrainian in the future. We will never stop fighting for the crimea as part of the ukrainian territory. [indiscernible] have a lot of russian speaking people in the crimea who do believe it is an act of aggression. The mood has been changing in the crimea. The mood has been changing and donetsk in donetsk and lugansk. Ago, under months russian propaganda, the people aboutxtremely cautious embracing their ideas of freedom and democracy. Decentralization, they have already introduced people more freedom but also more responsibility. To hate therted terrorists. The mood in crimea has been changing considerably. People understand it is a dead end. Of course, its about our commitment. Its also about commitment of the whole International Community. Independence, its and its commitment to assist and help. We feel this commitment exactly right now. , it took also such tragic cases as shooting down the Malaysian Airlines airplane. Looking around the globe from the beginning and how to negotiate full and unrestricted access to the site on how to carry out fully transparent and effective investigation. Team, not only from , but alsoon authority the best international team. We invited dutch representatives, malaysian , our friends and partners from the u. S. , switzerland, germany to join the investigation. [indiscernible] it will provide for fully transparent and open investigation. It is not about barbarians. It involves the people who came to the crash site. About the people, about the terrorists who came to , dragging the bodies without any sign of human dignity. From the beginning, we proclaimed universal ceasefire for the whole 40 kilometers radius area at the crash site in order not just to recover all alles, but also to recover to give belongings these personal belongings to their loved ones and friends. Tribute toour last the people died in this tragedy. The terrorists have been trying to hinder the investigation. Although we have seen the debris of the airplane hit by shrapnel. No way how theyre going to wipe out any evidence and any trace of evidence. Truth, and wehe will take the culprits to their responsibility. Priority from top future. For the nearest we are not for a military solution. It is not about military offensive. It is about peace. It is about clear commitment to peace. It is about a president ial peace plan. Ground,lation on the humanitarian assistance. Lso restoration disruptive water pipelines, electricity. We are in charge. We are paying for the restoration. It is about restoring normal supplies, returning to normal life. A it is about a bilateral ceasefire. More than 100 of our military men there is a broad ceasefire more than 100 times. Now it is about bilateral ceasefire. The terrorists took hostages. Is this men, even kids. We are fully committed to a peaceful settlement in donetsk. There is no way we let them become another frozen conflict. We had enough frozen conflicts in europe. We need to get rid of all of them and not get rid of another one. We will be consistent and committed. Fight for our territories. And for democracy on this territory. Of course it is about systemic reforms in the ukraine. Not only economic reform but also rule of law. We are not an ideal country. We have a long way to go. It is a way to the European Union. We will go this way. It does not matter how difficult it could be. If the choice of of ukrainians is the natural consensus in ukraine, its consensus is society. It is consensus in ukrainian politics. Well nurture this consensus. We will strengthen about for the to become aon democratic european and united country. We need different security arrangements. We have to restore this trust in that should also be aimed at restoring the status quo. We should be aimed at sticking to International Law. It is our commitment. From anyone in the european their precondition for our success. We will make ukraine a real success. Howeverfailed state someone could try to prevent desperate but in a real. Emocratic and european country success in europe and success in the world. I am ready to take your questions. Thank you very much. That was an insightful set of remarks. I am the executive Vice President here at the atlantic council. Im delighted to be able to host the conversation. We want to dig deeper on some of your issues. I want to remind all of you that are following this online to please use social media. I want to start by welcoming back the minister to the atlantic council. We share the stage together in july 2011, perhaps exactly three years ago. It was a conference i did with my colleague. Deputytime you were administer, engage with negotiations with the European Union. A earful about what was happening at the the erosionvel with of Democratic Institutions and practices in ukraine at the time. As i worked over the years i this was a to ask diplomat who, throughout very difficult times, has demonstrated it can support approach to policy and had a strategy of clarity for ukraine and who has been perfective been effective in pursuing those goals. Lets pick up the conversation, if we may. Your visit was prompted by the downing of that horrible tragedy that killed nearly 300 people ernet scam in one yes in the mets can their fingerprints were more obvious through a wider number of actors in the International Community. Such that many thought this would be the time for president put in for president clinton to take it caused. What we have seen since the downing of airlines has been what many determined as doubling down of Russian Support for the separatist and supply of arms and actual attacks on ukrainian forces. I wanted to ask you about this phase of the conflict. Terms ofappening in putins objective and strategy . What do you think they are aiming for in the aftermath of the downing of the airlines . Us the downing of the malaysian airplane was a real game changer. Many of us who did not understand fully the significance of what had happened in Eastern Ukraine was the capability terrorists have for such actions, like shooting down an airplane. Many in europe somehow launched the war going on. This was like a stone created like a stone. Follow the russian side of that, do we see any onsiderable type of change . [no audio] is there a real opportunity for moscow to change a different approach . That is the issue. This has been going on now for weeks and months. The real idea and [applause] and [no audio] it is about our commitment and the continuous pressure on russia. After the tragedy with the plane my approach would be a clear message. Take back the number of terrorist leaders who are russian citizens who have clear links to the Russian Security services and dont represent donetsk at any rate. It could enable us the workbility of a real sensitive. In the past 24 hours we heard , whoour security advisor said we have seen a significant rebuild up of Russian Forces along the border, potentially positioning russia for socalled humanitarian or peacekeeping intervention in the ukraine. The white house is deeply concerned not just about russian direct supply for the separatists but perhaps for this direct russian intervention in the crane. I would not talk about any intervention, not in the sense of International Law. Intervention is intervention. Any case of shelling ukrainian territory actually represents an act of aggression. Aggression is aggression. Confident that we could see deescalation of the situation. You have been working with secretary kerry just today and yesterday. You are in brussels last week working with the european on at fornisters deescalation. Is there any chance president clinton will take that opportunity to pursue the offramp . Striking that there have been a few opportunities that have been made available by many an International Community and yet each time russia has not gone down that path. Anything changed that prudent in my pursue that direction . We dont need sanctions for this thanked for the sake of sanctions. We need continued and Clear International pressure on russia. In order to be able to deescalate the situation there. It would be quite a lot of public contention. We should have a chance. I believe in this chance. It is extremely difficult and extremely tricky. Offonly way we can pull it is a joint action. Not just ukraine, not just European Union. Truck the normal is throughategy different efforts. It is a clear [no audio] we will supplement the mike this isough a what you have been doing here in washington and your travels in europe. You are here today after weeks if not months of debate about moving forward to the sector wide sanctions. These are sections that have a stronger bite against sensitive elements of the russian economy. We are seeing news coming out of brussels with the european moving European Union moving. The sanctions are not designed to punish russia but to deter. For yourr you reaction or comments on this onest round of decisions sectoral sanctions and your assessment on how the sanction policy has been effective or not in influencing russian behavior . The previouslieve sanctions were effective in the sense that they would be able to influence russian behavior. Now we are talking about really but ready sanctions. We could help not the russian economy. It is a smart play by different sectors, like defense. Like the possibility to Access Financial markets for russian state institutions. Institutions are normally used for driving forward russian policy. Everyone in the European Union should be asking himself or his self himself or herself. What kind of russian behavior can we tolerate . It is a clear point here. We have the case of russia breaking International Law but weo political commitments, need to know how we return to the status quo and where such rules are respected by anyone. And to develop such a mechanism so we are a test case for them and hopefully a good one i want to take some questions from the audience created if you could catch my eye will bring you in the conversation with the minister. Clearly seeking greater support for ukraine and have seen some reaction on the sanctions fund. What does ukraine need most right now . What are you asking for and what are you getting . What is on the list . Corrects it is about shortterm and midterm. Is about support for reforms in ukraine, for reforms not just in economics but also for the judicial system and rule of law. It is about financial support. We have a very good imf program. The only condition which hasnt been taken into account is undeclared war in donetsk. Us o need to fill this fill the assistance of our military. Is also the issue now and for the future. Here,al solidarity from real solidarity from the European Union. I can also follow the change in atmosphere. There is real solidarity and engagement. It is probably later than we wanted to clean. We want it to. One quick followup. There has been an active debate about the right kind of military assistance for ukraine. A conflict today. Are you seeing movement or progress on that particular issue . Here in bc. Nly able yes,were not only here in d. C. We have different options and different ways now. It is not about transforming our military capability. Not only for military forces him for military forces. We have a need for such shuffling of military forces and the security sector. And to be able to defend ourselves. There is so much expertise on this room expertise in this room on ukraine. If you could introduce yourself, your affiliation, and then asked a brief question so we can keep the conversation moving. I will bring in a couple of comments. You are the chief negotiator of the European Association agreement. It would be interesting to hear from you what you think are the most important things that ukraine can benefit in the short term. How will it help you to reform the ukrainian state . Will it help you bring the rule of law to a greater extent to ukraine . Let me pick up the second question with the ambassador in the front. You spoke a lot about sanctions, defense. Me this sounds like minimum what we would do in defending the situation. Feel the support from washington on Something Else . To make very important you part of the west. A the leadership of washington in pushing for membership perspectives in the eu, for example. Kulaks it was always my point after the implementation of the agreement i mean full implementation. Ukraine will look like a friend country. The key id of the agreement is flexibility and the idea to transport ukrainian legislation and european legislation. We can carry our trade with asia and within america on the basis of wto. We cannot exit the eu market it is aesting most powerful market for ukraine with a lot of opportunities. Probably in one month or two months it will be difficult to enjoy. Challenge toour start implementing the agreement as soon as possible. It should be a challenge for the European Union to assist us. It is simply not sufficient for effective implementation. We are now working on a number of new ideas. The idea is open. The idea of influence in the eu , itmembership respective was always my point. I am confident that because of ongoing changes in the European Union and on the european it is not the most impressive issue to fight for formal recognition. Get european to perspectives. Ukraine could become a member of if ukraine isnion ready and fully capable to deliver on relevant criteria. To get the idea that ukraine start negotiations on eu membership in a couple of years could be streaming damage above. For the political recognition, for the political right for , andne to become a member membership respective will definitely come in the course of implementation of this agreement. After yannick over to refuse to sign the agreement i held a about what isin your take when you are going to be able to sign the agreement. My point, you probably dont believe me, but the membership far soonerwill come than many of you who live here. I am steve stockman. I think it is on. Columbian university and counsel for relations. You talked about your determination to build consensus in the ukraine and expressed an interest in talking to people in donetsk who are not russian operatives. You also expressed a to fight, to restore ukraines territorial integrity. To us about how you keep those goals from conflicting with each other . The impact of an allout military campaign can obviously be negative for reconciliation. In the New York Times there are some suggestions that ukraines military tactics may have gone beyond what president poroshenko has outlined. We would benefit from hearing your views on this. If you could just pass the mic back. Thank you. Formerly with u. S. Department of defense. You spoke about your determination not to have another frozen conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Nowsteps are ukraine taking . Why dont we pick up those two . Believe these goals are completely compatible and sustainable. If you see the situation on the ground, it is about a limited number of terroristic leaders and about a couple of thousand people. If you are able to counter this influence, if youre able to counter the terrorists we would be fully able to talk in a very positive way, not just in but for carrying out dialogue. Stayor the many people who warthe russian propaganda probably still not confident in their ability and our ability or the ability of the ukrainian to provide for key conditions. The issues of russian language is an issue which has always been played up. That we believe it is indeed the framework for finding on and the how to take into account the interests of people. Freedomive them more but also how to give them more responsibility. Community, thef level of any issue that could not be addressed this should be taken as a level of regional government. I believe these goals are fully compatible. They should address a different kind of people. Help any sort of conflict could i would not draw any parallels. What is critical is not the toitting off of ukraine establish russian control and not to let them have key decisions. It is the most important issue. Explain an extremely clear and understandable terms what our intentions are and we are dy to provide wideranging we are ready to take into account all possible concerns. We are also ready and responsible not just from normal life but for not just for law and order but for normal life. People clearly understand what is at stake. According to different opinion there were 20 in the lunatics area in the donetsk area. Now it is about clear understanding of who is at fault. I want to squeeze in one must question. If you can be as brief as possible. The man behind you. Thank you. My name is david colton. I was wondering if i could tease out a little more thought about your concept of the status quo. Friends ofn many ukraine have articulated a future of ukraine that is not necessary part not necessarily part of the custom union but not necessarily integrated into the western defense structure. It is a broad sense of ukraine as sovereign and independent but not necessarily a member of either block. There is a growing chorus of in the growing chorus in this town that people pointed out soviet role in finished a mystic cripple, andrmine, eventually destroyed finished reforms and democracy. Can i get your thoughts about what the Security Status quote may be for ukrainian officials . I know you are heading to the white house after this. I am committed to ending you on time. With this question as a final question to take and including any comments you would like to make. We need to get some intelligence on language. I personally dont believe in just the option taken by finland. Secondly, any thought of the situation and existence in between is unsustainable. We need a sustainable option for the future of ukraine. We need a sustainable Security Architecture not just for ukraine but also in europe. Because structures dont match the challenge we need new security arrangements. Probably the present situation should push us not just in your discussions but in more sector solutions. We have a couple of ideas how to , how to and structure have conventional arms, which is unfortunately nowhere. How to create more trust. There was a lot of talking about ukraine as a kind of breach. The i believe it is not the best possible idea