© Alexander Scherbak/TASS
Reuters: Ukraine - biggest obstacle to normal Russia ties, says Tillerson
VIENNA (Reuters) - The United States would “badly” like to lift sanctions against Russia but will not do so until Moscow has pulled its forces out of eastern Ukraine and Crimea, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Thursday, calling that the main obstacle to normal ties.
Tillerson is on a visit to Europe during which he has reassured allies with tougher rhetoric against Moscow than that of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has sought better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), also attended by his Russian counterpart, Tillerson said Moscow was to blame for increased violence in eastern Ukraine and that had to stop.
“We’ve made this clear to Russia from the very beginning, that we must address Ukraine,” Tillerson told a news conference with his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz. “It stands as the single most difficult obstacle to us renormalizing the relationship with Russia, which we badly would like to do.”
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Tillerson is right. And I can say unequivocally that Crimea .... which is always going to be a sticking point between the U.S. - Ukraine - Russia .... will never agree to be a part of Ukraine again. Never. So this "split" will most likely last a very long time.
More News On U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's Remarks That The Biggest Obstacle To Normal Russia Ties Is Ukraine
Tillerson vows no warming with Russia until it leaves Ukraine -- Washington Post
Tillerson: Ukraine 'stands in the way' of closer ties with Russia -- The Hill
Tillerson, Lavrov End Vienna Talks With No Apparent Breakthroughs -- RFE
Lavrov and Tillerson discuss Syria, Ukraine and North Korea -- TASS
