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

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