Russia proves hard to punish despite tough talk by G-7 leaders
Behind the tough talk on Russia expected from President Barack Obama and other leaders gathering in Germany is a stark reality.
None of the world powers believe the economic and diplomatic punishments levied on Russia for its alleged aggression in Ukraine are changing President Vladimir Putin’s calculus, yet there are no plans to shift strategies.
At most, leaders hope to emerge from two days of talks in the Bavarian Alps with an agreement to keep US and European Union sanctions against Russia in place, and perhaps a pledge to enact deeper economic penalties if the crisis escalates. While there is little expectation that a show of unity will lead to a quick resolution in Ukraine, officials hope it will at least make Mr Putin pause if he is considering ratcheting up Russia’s moves.
A fresh outbreak of violence between government troops and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine is threatening to derail an already tenuous cease-fire.
The fact that sanctions have not altered Mr Putin’s military posture is “a sign of how heedless the Russian government seems to be about the long-term welfare of its own people that it has not yet resulted in a change, in a reversal at least of course, which is what we want out of Russia”, Defence Secretary Ash Carter told reporters after a Friday meeting in Germany with American military and diplomatic leaders.
The Group of Seven summit marks the second year in a row that leaders from the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan will meet without Mr Putin. After Russia annexed territory from Ukraine last year, the world powers kicked Russia out of what had been called the Group of Eight, a move aimed at isolating Mr Putin and signalling the West’s united opposition to his provocative actions.
Yet Mr Putin remains a major player on pressing issues.
Russia is a partner of the US and other nations in the nuclear talks with Iran, an Obama priority. Mr Putin is a linchpin in any discussions on resolving the civil war in Syria, given Russia’s status as President Bashar Assad’s biggest benefactor.
Republicans have accused Mr Obama of putting his interest in the Iran nuclear talks above supporting Ukraine. Republican White House hopeful Jeb Bush is set to arrive in Europe just as Mr Obama departs, with stops in Germany, Poland and Estonia. Mr Bush is expected to pledge broader US backing for the region if elected president.
White House officials defend the engagement with Russia on Iran and other matters, and say the US can work with Moscow on issues of mutual interest while also confronting Mr Putin over Ukraine.
But experts say Secretary of State John Kerry’s meetings with Mr Putin in Russia last month raised questions in Europe about whether Washington might be pursuing a new policy toward the Kremlin. Mr Kerry’s trip was the first time a senior US official has travelled to Russia since Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine.
“It created this cloud of controversy around what is the US strategy: Why did he go?” said Julianne Smith, a former Obama White House official who is now a senior fellow at the Centre for New American Security. “So I think there’ll be a little bit of mopping up from that trip.”
European nations are watching whether the US pledge to isolate and penalise Russia is weakening. Europe has far stronger ties to Russia than the US and some leaders face pressure from the business community to ease off of penalties that have affected their finances.
Still, the European Union is expected to renew expiring sanctions later this summer.
Thousands of people gathered on Saturday in a town a few kilometers from the summit venue to protest a range of causes, including a proposed trans-Atlantic trade deal, before the leaders’ arrival.
Mr Obama departed on Saturday evening after delivering an emotional eulogy at the funeral service for Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Beau. Joining Mr Obama on Air Force One for the trip to Germany were four House Democrats who support his efforts to win special authority to negotiate a Pacific Rim trade deal. The trade debate on Capitol Hill is being closely watched by G-7 leaders.
While Mr Obama has Senate backing to seek fast-track authority of the Trans Pacific Partnership pact, he faces a steep challenge in getting his own party’s support in the House. Japan and Canada are both among the countries negotiating the TPP pact. Fast-track authority would allow any TPP deal to be put to Congress for an up-or-down vote without allowing any amendments.
European nations are not part of the pact, but the congressional debate could affect whether Mr Obama has the political capital left to pursue a trans-Atlantic trade deal with the EU before leaving office
After his flight to Munich, Mr Obama was to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, then join other leaders for talks at Schloss Elmau, a one-time Bavarian artist retreat turned luxury spa.
Also on Mr Obama’s schedule was meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who was invited to the G-7 meeting to discuss the American-led campaign against the Islamic State group in his country, as well as in Syria.
European nations are watching whether the US pledge to isolate and penalise Russia is weakening.