Tillerson says Ukraine is biggest obstacle to normal Russia ties
Source: Reuters
#WORLD NEWS DECEMBER 7, 2017 / 5:25 AM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO
Francois Murphy, Shadia Nasralla
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.
Weve 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: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-tillerson/tillerson-says-ukraine-is-biggest-obstacle-to-normal-russia-ties-idUSKBN1E118C?il=0
ck4829
(35,091 posts)Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,505 posts)leftynyc
(26,060 posts)that they interfered with our election and obviously have the degenerate in the oval office by the balls?
The Mouth
(3,164 posts)Anymore than between the Koreas, the two Vietnams.
EX500rider
(10,872 posts).....this is Russia trying to steal eastern Ukraine, the Donbas region.
And the US unfortunately signed a treaty to help guarantee Ukraine's borders when they gave up their nukes they had when the Soviet Union broke up.
The Mouth
(3,164 posts)As long as there's one homeless American or kid without healthcare we shouldn't be spending a cent outside of our borders.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)The one does not deny the other.
Homelessness and poor healthcare in America are not the direct result of treaties, they are the result of tax cuts.
Signed treaties, by their very definition, make it our business.
Xolodno
(6,401 posts)Nor was it a treaty, that has to be ratified by Congress. It was Memorandum...which is worth...not a whole lot.
Quoting from the article:
"Cruz said that Ukraine agreed to give up the nuclear weapons on its territory because the United States promised to "ensure its territorial integrity." A diplomat with detailed knowledge of the American position noted that the United States went to pains to avoid making a strong guarantee to protect Ukraines borders. The formal memorandum of security assurances lacks a promise to ensure that Ukraines borders remain unchanged. The United States only promised to respect those borders itself, and to go to the United Nations should another power threaten Ukraine with a nuclear attack.
Russia violated that memorandum, but that is separate from what the United States said it would do.
We rate Cruzs statement False."
yurbud
(39,405 posts)EX500rider
(10,872 posts)Which Russia lacks in the Ukraine.
yurbud
(39,405 posts)yurbud
(39,405 posts)a coup in Mexico or Canada, I would think we would have bigger and more open military intervention than whatever Russia is doing.
Xolodno
(6,401 posts)Its usually a lot like the Saudi's tried to do with Lebanon, but without the occupation. Strong arm them economically. So their choice is, become crippled economically...or allow a nice little US base or two on your soil.
But sometimes its benevolent...we point out to the corrupt government how much money they will make.
The fact that they chose our president is the biggest obstacle!