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Bloomberg
Russian interference in the 2016 US election has been “well documented,†but it’s still in the interests of the US to attempt to improve relations with Moscow, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said.
“I don’t think there’s any question that the Russians were playing around in our electoral processes,†Tillerson said in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press with Chuck Todd†on Sunday. He added that the impact of that meddling was “inconclusive.â€
Even so, “it’s in the interest of the American people, it’s in the interest of Russia, the rest of the world, that we do something to see if we cannot improve the relationship between the two greatest nuclear powers in the world,†Tillerson said.
The top US diplomat spoke before Donald Trump leaves on May 19 for his first overseas trip as president, and days after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election campaign. Tillerson said the sudden dismissal of Comey, less than four years into a 10-year term, didn’t create concerns about how much independence he would have as America’s top diplomat.
“I have a great relationship with the president. I understand what his objectives are. When I’m not clear on what his objectives are, we talk about it,†Tillerson said, adding that he would “never compromise my own values.†Tillerson said he didn’t know why Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak was present at an Oval Office meeting this week between Trump and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Kislyak is a central figure in the probe into Russian election meddling and the involvement of former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn. “You’d have to put that question to the White House staff and protocol people,†Tillerson said. “I can’t really answer that. I don’t know.†The agenda for Trump’s trip, which includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Vatican, is intended to “bring a message of unity among all of these people of faith, among these great religions,†Tillerson said.