éminence grise

Obama Asked Kissinger to Talk to Putin

New diplomatic strategy.

The White House made several efforts to reach out to Vladimir Putin, including tapping former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as envoy. Two officials say the White House asked Kissinger to directly call the Russian leader. However, it is unclear whether Kissinger actually made the call, and neither he nor the White House would comment on it. Secretary of State John Kerry also planned to visit Moscow and meet in person with Putin, but the trip was ultimately canceled when officials believed it would not result in any progress. Kerry also floated a plan that would potentially relieve some of Russia's crippling economic sanctions if it ceased military support for separatists in Ukraine and met other conditions.