John Kelly’s former Secretary of State took a defensive stance after the MSNBC host pointed out that Russia annexed Crimea under his surveillance during the Obama administration.
MSNBC’s Chris Jansing spoke with Kelly from within the Vatican on Friday ahead of Pope Francis’ Saturday funeral.
Yangsing noted that Pope Francis was a “voice for peace” and had been candid about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
“When Russia annexed Crimea you were the Secretary of State,” Yangsing said. “And I want to ask you-“
“But when they said that,” Kelly paused. “We didn’t allow them to annex it, and we stood up and we stood up.”
“Yes,” Yangsing agreed. “They said it belonged to them.”
“Yeah, they said that, but under international law, it’s not theirs,” Kelly replied.
Yangsing continued to ask Kelly what he thought of President Donald Trump’s proposal to maintain Crimea under a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
“Well, who knows?” Kelly responded. “I personally don’t agree to put it on the table.”
“It’s a dramatic change in US policy,” Yangsing said.
“Great – I just said I don’t necessarily agree to put it on the table,” Kelly continued. “Who knows what the parties will accept. Obviously, it must be fair to them and somehow be perceived as a balanced outcome. And I think everyone will put them in a very difficult position to announce where you will come down as a mediator first.”
“I praise the President for pursuing this. He’s frivolous about it. He wants to have peace. I hope he will try to get there. It’s a lot of work, but it’s viable.
