The United States would ‘badly’ like to lift sanctions against Russia but will not do so until Moscow has pulled its forces out of eastern Ukraine and Crimea, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Thursday, calling that the main obstacle to normal ties.
Tillerson is on a visit to Europe during which he has reassured allies with tougher rhetoric against Moscow than that of US. President Donald Trump, who has sought better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking at a meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), also attended by his Russian counterpart, Tillerson said Moscow was to blame for increased violence in eastern Ukraine and that had to stop.