Chris Cuomo Prompts Former Clinton Official to Defend Obama's Handling of Ukraine Crisis

CNN's Chris Cuomo tried to get former Assistant Secretary of State Jamie Rubin to defend President Obama's response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine during a segment on the 16 April 2014 edition of New Day. Cuomo cited how Russian President Vladimir Putin "did this in Georgia.....under President Bush" in 2008, and wondered, "Is it fair to look at this situation and say, the weakness or perception of weakness of President Obama has given a window of opportunity to Putin?"

The anchor didn't identify Rubin as either a former Clinton administration official or as the husband of CNN personality Christiane Amanpour. Interestingly, the State Department veteran didn't give Cuomo the response he was looking for:

JAMIE RUBIN, FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: I think what's fair to say is that, over time, the U.S./Russian relationship has brake – broken down, and the commitment of the West – not just the United States, but all of the West – to these crucial principles – will borders be changed by force; can a slaughter occur in Syria with no response – all these crucial principles of international affairs have been weakened over time by the general unwillingness of countries in the West to stand up.