Putin Meets With Poroshenko at Normandy Observance; Obama's Speech was Arguably his Finest Hour

BALTIMORE, Maryland June 6, 2014 - At the observation of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, at Normandy, the new President of Ukraine met with Russian Strong Man Vladimir Putin. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes, according to Le Monde, the French Newspaper Giant.
Both men "agreed" that the hostilities still going on in the eastern part of Ukraine must end, although, to be honest, both implied that the other had to do the stopping. Putin wants Ukraine's military to leave the Separatists alone. Petro Poroshenko, the newly elected Ukraine President, has said he will not leave Separatist Forces in control of any of Ukraine's cities or government facilities.

But Poroshenko has said he is all for increased federalization of Ukrainian districts, meaning more autonomy for the east within the framework of a united Ukraine.

On Russian Television, Putin remarked: "The approach seemed fair overall, I liked it, Ukraine must show goodwill. The repressive operation must be stopped."

As the two men met, they were closely watched by German Chancellor Angela Merkle and French President Francois Hollande. The meeting was not accidental. Afterwards, the French President conceded that it was planned well in advance. Interestingly, Hollande dined Thursday night with both Putin and President Obama, but not at the same time.

According to Le Monde, Poroshenko and Putin also discussed economic issues and other subjects. There was no immediate announcement of a more prolonged meeting.

Your writer must admit that Obama's speech at Normandy on Friday morning was the best he has ever made. With the hallowed ground as a backdrop, he emphasized over and over the unbelievable sacrifice made by the men who came to Normandy that June morning 70 years ago. Some of the few soldiers still alive were in attendance at the commemoration, and Obama humbly showered them with praise. The thought, however, that he left everyone with was this: everytime you think the world is a bad place, remember the men who came to Normandy. Everytime you are depressed, remember the men who to Normandy. I was barely awake - I'd woke in the middle of the night with indigestion, and turned the TV on Red Eye - when Fox News broadcast the address live. It was sunny and breezy at Normandy, not the cloud shrouded morning of 1944. And Obama rose to the occassion; as a President, it was his finest hour, in my humble opinion.