U.S MAINTAINS SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA AS REX TILLERSON MEETS RUSSIA’S SERGEY LAVROV

WASHINGTON, United States – The United States today maintained that sanctions against Russia will remain in place even as U.S Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson met for over an hour with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Washington.

Announcing the decelopment, Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said Secretary Tillerson met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today in Washington for more than an hour to discuss a range of issues including Ukraine, Syria, and bilateral concerns.

According to him, the Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed the importance of defeating ISIS, de-escalating the violence in Syria, and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches hundreds of thousands of civilians throughout the country.

“Additionally, the Secretary and Foreign Minister restated support for the UN-led political process in Geneva, which is central to international efforts to bring about an enduring resolution to the conflict”, he said.

On Ukraine, Secretary Tillerson stressed the need for progress toward full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

“Sanctions on Russia will remain in place until Moscow reverses the actions that triggered them”, he said.

He said the United States and Russia agreed to continue discussions to resolve other issues of bilateral concern, including strategic stability.