Tillerson Explodes the Hope for Improved US Relations with Russia

VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home – Stephen Lendman). Contact at [email protected].

All we know about Putin/Trump talks is what each side reported – Russia in some detail, the Trump administration offering little.

Most likely both leaders got along amicably, no comments from either suggesting otherwise. Their body language on camera was positive.

Moscow genuinely wants improved relations with Washington. Dark forces holding Trump hostage to their agenda have other ideas – irresponsibly calling Russia America’s main threat.

On Sunday, Rex Tillerson said US sanctions on Russia won’t be lifted unless it “reverses (its) actions” on Ukraine, falsely claiming they violated the country’s “territorial integrity.”

Nothing of the kind occurred – no so-called “Russian aggression,” no “annexation of Crimea,” no hostile, improper or illegal actions of any kind against Ukraine – the US-installed putschist regime, replacing its democratically elected governance.

In Kiev, meeting with its puppet president Poroshenko, Tillerson talked tough to please his host, cozying up to an illegitimate figurehead, reaffirming US support for his regime, disgracefully continuing unfounded anti-Russia accusations.

After meeting with Putin, Trump tweeted

“sanctions were not discussed,” adding “(n)othing will be done until the Ukrainian & Syrian problems are solved.”

In June, Senate members overwhelmingly approved tough new sanctions on Russia, targeting its intelligence and defense apparatus, its energy, railways and shipping industries – along with Russian officials wrongfully accused of corruption and human rights abuses.

House members have yet to act. It’s unclear if Trump will support the measure if it reaches his desk. It won’t matter if by a veto-proof margin as is likely.

Separately in June, deputy White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the Trump administration is committed to existing sanctions “until Moscow fully honors its commitments to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.”

America bears full responsibility, Russia wrongfully blamed for its criminality. Easing tensions between both countries toward improving relations remains an unattainable goal because neocons infesting Washington want Moscow remaining an adversary, not ally.

Days earlier, Tillerson appointed Kurt Volker as special envoy for helping to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Russia’s good faith efforts since 2014 were undermined by Washington – perpetuating conflict, not ending it.

Irreconcilable differences between both countries remain. Nothing in prospect suggests remedying a bad situation.

VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home – Stephen Lendman). Contact at [email protected].

My newest book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

Featured image from Investopedia


Comment on Global Research Articles on our Facebook page

Become a Member of Global Research


Articles by: Stephen Lendman

About the author:

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected]. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. The Centre of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post Global Research articles on community internet sites as long the source and copyright are acknowledged together with a hyperlink to the original Global Research article. For publication of Global Research articles in print or other forms including commercial internet sites, contact: [email protected]

www.globalresearch.ca contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available to our readers under the provisions of "fair use" in an effort to advance a better understanding of political, economic and social issues. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving it for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes other than "fair use" you must request permission from the copyright owner.

For media inquiries: [email protected]