The content of the leaked phone conversation that we told you about yesterday (Thursday) continues to have diplomatic repercussions.
The story began when the recording of a call between Victoria Nuland, the top U.S. diplomat for Europe, and Geoff Pyatt, the U.S. envoy to Kiev, appeared to show them discussing the merits of Ukraine's various opposition figures. In it, Nuland can also be heard using a crude phrase while describing the European Union.
Talking about the EU's position in Ukraine, she says, "F- - - the EU."
A spokeswoman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel weighed in Friday, calling Nuland's comments "absolutely unacceptable." Christiane Wirtz, the spokeswoman, added that Merkel supported the EU's efforts in Ukraine and believes Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, "is doing a marvelous job."
Nuland herself refused to comment on the controversy, saying in Kiev that she didn't think it would hurt U.S.-Russian relations. But she did call the tape's recording and leaking "pretty impressive tradecraft."
As we reported, both the White House and the State Department accused Russia of orchestrating the leak of the conversation, but Russian officials strongly denied that claim.
The Associated Press quoted Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin as saying on Twitlonger:
"While the Westerners weave little intrigues and get into scandals, Russia is helping the regions of Ukraine restore lost connections with our industries. Maybe then there will be fewer unemployed and embittered people to organize riots in their own cities with foreign money."