Tillerson is due to arrive in Moscow later on Tuesday, in what will be followed by talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov scheduled for April 12.
A week ago, Moscow and Washington announced an agenda, which includes discussions on the Syrian conflict, the settlement in Ukraine, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan, non-proliferation-related issues, the fight against terrorism and US-Russian relations.
Tillerson to visit Moscow to discuss #Syria with Lavrov as tensions spike… https://t.co/NDqCNqTzJg by #kembangkertas97 via @c0nvey pic.twitter.com/LZUk9P18ML
— Si Rakit Kecil (@lentisha) 11 апреля 2017 г.
Earlier, Tillerson expressed hope that his negotiations with Lavrov would be held in a constructive atmosphere. At the same time, he stressed that during his visit to Moscow he intends to raise the issue of Russia's fulfillment of its obligations under the agreements on the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria.
Tillerson's visit comes almost a week after at least five people were killed and seven others injured after the United States launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Syrian military airfield in Ash Sha'irat, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the city of Homs.
I hope that #Tillerson — #Lavrov relations will be as fruitful as the #Kerry — #Lavrov one. Our region (MENA & EastMed) needs peace. pic.twitter.com/ig9VZWopKe
— NikosTopouzis (@niktop) 11 апреля 2017 г.
US President Donald Trump said the attack was a response to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria's Idlib province on Tuesday, which Washington blames on the Syrian government.
The US attack in Syria has nothing to do with attempts to uncover the truth about the use of chemical weapons in Idlib province, according to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Speaking to Sputnik, Pavel Svyatenkov described the US missile attack on Syria as another attempt to worsen the negotiating positions of Moscow ahead of Tillerson's talks with Lavrov.
"Given that the situation in Syria remains Russia's bargaining chip in its talks with the United States, the Trump administration is apparently trying to deprive Russia of it," Svyatrenkov said.
He also noted that the White House is currently under immense pressure not to even try to get US-Russian ties back on track.
"The Democrats, some Republicans and US allies in the EU are trying to force Trump not to improve relations with Russia," Svyatenkov said, referring to the cancellation of UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's visit to Russia.
"There are a number of powerful forces that are uninterested in the US changing its policy on Russia. And because of the fact that Trump and his team are criticized as if they are allegedly those connected with Russia, Trump needs to stick to a hardline approach," Svyatenkov concluded.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a briefing on Monday that Tillerson will try during his visit to Moscow "to get the Russian government back on the same page" as the United States with respect to commitments in Syria.
He said that President Donald Trump and his team also want to find out what is Russia willing "to commit to in action" with respect to fighting the Daesh terrorist group.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is not aware of any possible new US sanctions against Russia over Syria, as neither President Donald Trump or his administration have made any statements.
"Not knowing what is at issue, and we really do not know what is at issue, it is difficult to talk about any reaction," Peskov told reporters.
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