Final Word from Monday, September 29, 2014
Czech Pres. Miloš Zeman made the headlines again for his pro-Russian comments, this time speaking at an event hosted by one of Vladimir Putin's close friends, Vladimir Yakunin. On paper the comments seem scandalous (see here for Czech). Speaking in Russian, Zeman called for the removal of sanctions and the establishment of a dialogue about fighting terrorism. The only response to this can be a great big NYET, right? Not so quick. Didn't Barack Obama say close to the same thing at the U.N. last week? If Russia adheres to the cease-fire agreement, he said, the U.S. will lift its sanctions and welcome Russia's role in addressing common challenges, one of which is terrorism. Zeman was delivering last month's speech yet again, but in today's context it makes him sound more like an American agent than a Russian one. What if the Russians took his words to heart, changed course, and were the first to lift the sanctions? [Czech Republic Ukraine Ukrainian ISIS ISIL Iraq Syria]
Glossary of difficult words
to adhere to - to abide by or comply with;
to take something to heart - to take a comment or criticism seriously and to be affected by it.