WASHINGTON — The top American diplomat put the onus on Russia Tuesday to take steps to repair flagging relations with the United States, even as he conceded that congressional sanctions would pose a new obstacle. Holding out hope for warmer ties, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he’d meet with his Russian counterpart within days.
In a wide-ranging assessment of his first six months in office, Tillerson also:
— Revealed the U.S. is looking at options to entice Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to leave power peacefully.
— Insisted the U.S. doesn’t blame China for North Korea’s nuclear behavior despite the American pressure on Beijing. He said the U.S. is open to talks with Pyongyang.
— Argued that Iran’s military must leave Syria for the U.S. to cooperate with Russia on ending the Syrian civil war.
— Named retired Gen. Anthony Zinni as special representative to try to resolve the Persian Gulf diplomatic crisis over Qatar.
But on Russia, Tillerson strained hardest to point to progress.
He was unable to show that the U.S. has fulfilled President Donald Trump’s objective of a new, more cooperative relationship between the former Cold War foes, noting only modest efforts in Syria as a sign the nations share some common goals. While he said frustrated Americans want the U.S. to get along with the nuclear-armed power, he did not address the deep suspicions at home about the president’s intentions. U.S. intelligence agencies have formally accused Moscow of meddling in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump.
“The situation is bad, but believe me — it can get worse,” Tillerson said, recounting his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin when they met in March. “And it just did.”
Putin this week ordered the U.S. to dramatically cut its diplomatic presence in Russia, solidifying the conclusion that a Trump-driven detente with Moscow hasn’t come to pass. Though ostensibly in retaliation for a similar U.S. move last year under President Barack Obama, the Russian action came just after Congress voted to slap Russia with more economic sanctions, and to include new requirements making it far harder for Trump to ease the penalties.