Thursday, February 16, 2017

U.S. And Russian Foreign Ministers Meet in Bonn



New York Times: Rex Tillerson Meets Russian Counterpart in First Trip as Top U.S. Diplomat

BONN, Germany — By the time Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson decided that he wanted to join his counterparts at an important global gathering in Bonn — his first trip overseas as America’s top diplomat — all the good hotel rooms in this small German city had been taken.

So Mr. Tillerson and his entourage of temporary State Department helpers took rooms at a rambling health clinic and spa next to a public bathhouse in the picturesque town of Bad Neuenahr, more than 20 miles outside of the city — a bit like holing up in Beltsville, Md., for a conference in Washington, D.C.

The remoteness of the location fit with the growing distance between the Trump administration and its European counterparts on such issues as immigration, refugees, defense and trade. Indeed, so much uncertainty has crept into what had been close relations that Mr. Tillerson largely dispensed with the usual gushing and grinning news conferences with his counterparts on Thursday at the gathering of foreign ministers from countries in the Group of 20. The meeting was called to lay the groundwork for the summit meeting of leaders of G-20 countries in Hamburg in July.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: They are laying the groundwork for a Trump-Putin meeting at the G20 in July. On a side note .... yup .... this first meeting did not follow protocol .... Tillerson Has Awkward First Encounter With Lavrov at G-20 (Bloomberg). See above video.

More News On Today's U.S. And Russian Foreign Ministers Meeting

Tillerson meets his Russian counterpart Lavrov for the first time in Bonn -- Washington Post
Russian foreign minister meets with Tillerson, denies interfering -- Reuters
US secretary of state Tillerson meets Russian counterpart at G20 summit -- The Guardian
Tillerson says US may work with Russia after Lavrov meeting -- CNN
Tillerson warns Russia to respect Ukraine commitments -- Politico

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