National & International News

U.S. Diplomat's Leaked Phone Call Gets Poor Reception

By Krishnadev Calamur

Published February 7, 2014 at 11:08 AM EST

Victoria Nuland, the U.S. assistant secretary of state, lights a candle in St. Michael Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine, on Thursday. Her comments during a leaked phone call have sparked a diplomatic row.

The content of the leaked phone conversation that we told you about Thursday continues to have diplomatic repercussions.

The story began with the recording of a call between Victoria Nuland, the top U.S. diplomat for Europe, and Geoff Pyatt, the U.S. envoy to Kiev, in which they were discussing the merits of various opposition figures in Ukraine's ongoing unrest. During the call, Nuland is heard using a crude phrase in regard to the European Union, which is working with the U.S. on a political resolution in Ukraine.

Talking about the EU's position in Ukraine, she says, "F- - - the EU."

Understandably, European nations weren't pleased with that comment.

A spokeswoman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel weighed in Friday, calling Nuland's remarks "absolutely unacceptable." Christiane Wirtz, the spokeswoman, added that Merkel supported the EU's efforts in Ukraine and believes Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, "is doing a marvelous job" in Ukraine.

As we reported, both the White House and the State Department accused Russia of orchestrating the leak of the conversation.

Nuland herself refused to comment on the controversy, saying in Kiev that she didn't think it would hurt U.S.-Russian relations. But she did call the tape's recording and leaking "pretty impressive tradecraft."

Russian officials strongly denied any involvement.

The Associated Press quoted Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin as saying on Twitlonger:

"While the Westerners weave little intrigues and get into scandals, Russia is helping the regions of Ukraine restore lost connections with our industries. Maybe then there will be fewer unemployed and embittered people to organize riots in their own cities with foreign money."

At issue is Ukraine's political future: The former Soviet republic has been rocked by anti-government protests since last November, when President Viktor Yanukovych shelved an association deal with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. The EU and the U.S. are trying to broker a political resolution; Russia, meanwhile, supports the Ukrainian government.

In the leaked conversation, Nuland appears to favor opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who she says "is the guy who's got the economic experience, the governing experience." She says Vitali Klitschko, the boxer and opposition leader, is inexperienced, adding that she doesn't think he "should go into the government."