Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul has let fly via Facebook over Putin media tsar Dmitry Kiselyov's comparison of the U.S. president with the head of the radical Islamic State group:
"I watched thousands of hours of Soviet television in my day and I do not remember such revolting statements like this one, comparing Obama to ISIL leader al Bagdadi (starts around minute 38) Disgusting and shameful. I am embarrassed for my friends in the Russian government and state-run media who have to be be associated with such nonsense."
Targeted sanctions pinch the Chechen leader:
Nice.
"For Mr. Putin, the helter-skelter blitz through Milan was only the latest demonstration of an unpredictable, often theatrical, diplomatic style that he has employed during the Ukraine crisis to throw his rivals off balance. This time he kept Ms. Merkel waiting late at night. Last month he upstaged President Obama on the eve of a NATO summit meeting focused on Russian aggression when he unexpectedly announced a seven-point peace plan for Ukraine — written on the back of a napkin as he flew for a state visit in Mongolia."
That concludes our live blogging for Sunday, October 19. Follow all our coverage of Ukrainian events and news from around our region HERE.
Russia Defiant Despite Swedish Sub Report, German MH17 Conclusion
