U.S. Secretary of state chooses Moscow
Rex Tillerson will come to Russia, but will miss the meeting of NATO.
U.S. Secretary of state Rex Tillerson 12 April for the first time in his post will visit Moscow, where he will hold talks with the Russian leadership. This was reported by Reuters with reference to its sources in the state Department. The Russian foreign Ministry information did not refute, however, expressed surprise in connection with “the constant leaks of sensitive information from Washington.” Statement of Mr. Tillerson’s visit to Moscow appeared simultaneously with the information that he will miss a meeting of foreign Ministers of countries—members of NATO which will take place on 5-6 April in Brussels. At this time, the head of U.S. diplomacy with President Donald trump will meet in Washington, the Chinese leader XI Jinping.
First that the Secretary of state Rex Tillerson is planning to visit Russia, told Reuters. Sources in the administration of U.S. President said that the visit will take place April 12. Among other things, as announced, Mr. Tillerson will meet with Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The appearance of this information in the news was a surprise for the Russian side
“At this point, neither confirm nor disprove the information do not intend, — said the official representative of the Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.— But we definitely surprised by the constant leaks of sensitive information from Washington. Political elites in the US, it’s time to figure out that again the “Russian hackers” hacked into Department servers or information security threat the United States has a still of American origin.”
However, soon after the Reuters information about the upcoming visit of Rex Tillerson in Moscow, citing its sources in the state Department and distributed to Russian news agencies.
Rex Tillerson was previously in Russia, but only as head of ExxonMobil Corporation. In particular, in June 2013, he participated in St. Petersburg international economic forum, in which Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the guest of the Russian order of Friendship.
In Moscow the head of state will arrive from Italy, which will host the Ministerial meeting of the G7. It was announced that he would abstain from participation in the negotiations of the foreign Ministers of countries—members of NATO — the next meeting will be held in Brussels on 5-6 April. USA will be represented there by the under Secretary for political Affairs Tom Shannon.
We will remind, representatives of the administration of Donald trump (including the us President himself) have repeatedly criticized NATO and, in particular, threatened to revise downward the volumes of its participation in the financing of the Alliance.
NATO’s response to the decision of Mr. Tillerson not to go first for themselves a meeting of the Alliance did not arrive yet. However in Washington give to understand that and not talking about any move. The Brussels meeting will coincide with the Washington visit of Chinese President XI Jinping, and Rex Tillerson will have to attend key talks with him, which will largely determine the future of U.S.-China relations.
With the Ministers of the North Atlantic Alliance Mr. Tillerson will speak this Wednesday, when Washington will gather participants of the international coalition to combat grouping “Islamic state” (banned in Russia).
Paul Tarasenko