U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson: Russia Must Choose Between Assad Or The US

New York Times: Russia Risks Irrelevance in Mideast With Syria Policy, Rex Tillerson Warns

LUCCA, Italy — Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson said on Tuesday that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia must end his alliance with the government of Syria, and that the reign of that country’s leader, President Bashar al-Assad, was “coming to an end.”

Mr. Tillerson, in comments just before he headed to Moscow for a high-stakes summit meeting, said that Russia risked becoming irrelevant in the Middle East.

“Russia can be a part of that future and play an important role,” Mr. Tillerson said at a Group of 7 meeting in Lucca, Italy. “Or Russia can maintain its alliance with this group, which we believe is not going to serve Russia’s interests longer term.”

Then, in a preview of his coming meetings in Moscow, he added, “Only Russia can answer that question.”

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WNU Editor: This visit is going to end up with relations between Russia and the West .... specifically Russia's relationship with the U.S. .... in the toilet. There has been no preparations for this visit. No agreement on the details to be discussed and agreed upon. Instead .... both sides are going to sit down and rehash their positions .... while criticising the other. But issuing an ultimatum to Russia .... that is going to guarantee one thing .... a big NYET! When Russia made the decision to directly intervene in Syria two years ago I said in this blog and elsewhere that it was a mistake .... there are going to be repercussions down the road that are not going to be in Russia's long term strategic interests. I paid with this position by being criticised from my many friends in Russia. Today .... unfortunately .... I feel vindicated.

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