Support The Moscow Times!

McCain Calls EU Sanctions Against Russia 'Almost a Joke'

U.S. Senator John McCain calls EU sanctions against Russia are "almost a joke".

Republican Senator John McCain has said EU sanctions against Russia are "almost a joke" and reiterated the need for a stronger U.S. role in the conflict, calling upon President Barack Obama to arm Ukrainians so that they can "defend themselves."

McCain, known for his outspoken anti-Kremlin views, on Tuesday called for "strong, tough American leadership" in face of "minimal" EU sanctions against Russia during a visit to Estonia, Associated Press reported.

The visit is part of a tour with Senator John Hoeven around the Baltic, covering Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and Norway, to assess "regional defense and security," the U.S. Embassy in Talliinn, Estonia, said in a statement on its website.

In an appearance on CBS on Sunday, McCain criticized Obama's administration for its weak response to Russian action in the region and said the U.S. should be arming eastern Ukrainians.

"We ought to at least, for God's sake, give them some light weapons with which to defend themselves" McCain said.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite on Tuesday made a public appeal to NATO, saying that deploying troops to Ukraine is "vital" to avoid a "Crimea-style situation."

Read More:

Lithuania President Asks NATO to Protect Country From 'Crimea-Style' Scenario

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more