Germany's Angela Merkel has said a US official's apparent insult of the EU's efforts to mediate in the Ukraine crisis is "totally unacceptable". Victoria Nuland has apologised after she referred disparagingly to the EU's role during a conversation said to be with the US ambassador to Ukraine.
A recording of the exchange was
posted online, with the US
hinting at Russia's
involvement in bugging and leaking it. The EU and US are involved in talks to
end months of unrest in Ukraine.
In Kiev, Ms Nuland - an assistant secretary of
state - said she would not make a public statement on the matter. The
conversation between Ms Nuland and Mr Pyatt reveals deeper tensions between America and Europe.
Washington seems to prefer a deal brokered by
the UN rather than Brussels.
If true, that would bruise the feelings of EU officials. They believe this is
their crisis to solve. Today's comments and accusations are a reminder that
this crisis is far from over and that it has the potential to cause division
and tension even between allies. She described the leak as "pretty
impressive tradecraft. [The] audio quality was very good". The state
department said she had apologised in private to EU officials.
Mass anti-government protests
erupted in Ukraine in late
November after President Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign a far-reaching
association and trade agreement with the EU - under heavy pressure from Moscow. Russia has been widely accused of using its
economic clout to persuade Mr Yanukovych not to pursue closer ties with Brussels. Russia has itself accused Washington and the EU
of meddling in Ukraine.
'Not a good idea'
German government spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz said Ms
Merkel fully supported the work done by EU foreign policy chief Catherine
Ashton to find a solution to the crisis. The chancellor finds these remarks
totally unacceptable and wants to emphasise that Mrs Ashton is doing an
outstanding job," Ms Wirtz said. The alleged conversation between Ms
Nuland and the US ambassador
to Ukraine,
Geoffrey Pyatt, appeared
on YouTube on Thursday.
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