WASHINGTON (AP) – Global outrage over Syria’s recent chemical attack and multiple Russia-related investigations in the U.S. will follow Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Moscow next week.
Tillerson’s trip is designed to test the Trump administration’s hopes for closer ties to Russia. There’s no appetite for that from either political party in the U.S.
Tillerson’s visit is the first by a top Trump administration official since the inauguration. He arrives in Moscow on Tuesday after a brief visit to Lucca, Italy, to meet with counterparts from the Group of 7 industrialized economies.
While in Russia, Tillerson plans to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He may also meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Tillerson may or may not meet with pro-democracy activists in Russia. Members of Congress have urged him to do so.