Crimea Latest: US, EU Sanctions won't stop Putin - McCain

US Senator John McCain insisted on Tuesday that the sanctions the by the United States and the European Unions on Russia are not going to deter aggression from Moscow.  “They're not going to do it,” he said on radio show “Imus in the Morning," hosted by Don Imus.

Senator McCain affirmed that Europe can reasonably punish Russia  because of its dependence on Russian oil.

McCain reasserted his positions against President Obama’s handling of the Crimea crisis, arguing that Obama’s “total misreading of Vladimir Putin” led to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine last week.

The United States, he suggested, could set up a long-term program to transfer energy to Europe to help it achieve energy independence. But McCain said he doubts Europe would be open to such an offer. “Don't expect anything out of the Europeans in response to this, and it may encourage Vladimir to more adventuresome behavior,” he said. 

“Our options are not very good,” Obama administration should provide military assistance to Ukraine. McCain said,

President Vladimir Putin may also have his mind set on acquiring even more territory in other parts of Ukraine, Moldova or the Baltic states, McCain said.  On the other hand, McCain said he thinks Putin is weighing the “cost-benefit” of moving further into Eastern Europe.

“I think maybe what he's doing now is keeping this buildup and then probably draw back and everybody will heave a sigh of relief and accept a fait accompli of a Russian takeover of Crimea,” McCain said.

Russia sends emergency generators to Crimea

Meanwhile, Russia has sent power generators to Crimea, a Russian minister said Tuesday on a visit to the peninsula which broke away from Ukraine but still depends on it for electricity. “Over 1,400 mobile power stations have already been delivered to the region,” Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov said at a ceremony in Simferopol marking the transition of rescue workers to Moscow rule.

Puchkov said the Russian government would ensure the work of Crimea’s public institutions in case of any future power cuts.

On Sunday, part of Crimea plunged into darkness in what the authorities on the Black Sea peninsula said was due to cuts in mainland Ukraine.

The Ukraine-owned power company Krymenergo said in its website that Kiev had ordered the electricity supply’s temporary suspension due to an emergency defect on a major powerline.