RUSSIA/STATE/TRUMP PEOPLE/REX TILLERSON: “Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday [6-14-17] that the U.S. would support efforts by Russia and Ukraine to resolve a yearslong conflict outside of an internationally backed agreement signed by both countries, the implementation of which has long been a U.S. condition for lifting sanctions against Moscow.
The comments by Mr. Tillerson, in testimony before the House Foreign Relations Committee, appeared to mark a departure from longstanding U.S. policy and represents a potential break from other world powers, including Germany and France, who have supported the cease-fire and peace accords reached in Minsk, Belarus, in 2014 and 2015.
‘I think it’s important we be given sufficient flexibility to achieve the Minsk objectives,’ Mr. Tillerson said, adding, ‘It’s possible that the government of Ukraine and the government of Russia could come to a satisfactory resolution through some structure other than Minsk, but would achieve the objectives of Minsk, which we’re committed to.’
Mr. Tillerson previously has said the U.S. would maintain sanctions against Russia until the Minsk agreements are fully implemented, and Washington and European allies have long been united in demanding so.”
-Felicia Schwartz, “Tillerson Allows for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Outside of Minsk Accords,” The Wall Street Journal online, June 14, 2017 12:38pm