Former US Ambassador to Russia: New U.S. Secretary of State could expedite lifting of sanctions on Russia
The former United States Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, criticized the decision of the President-elect of the United States to nominate the Chief Executive Officer of the Exxon Mobile Corporation, Rex Tillerson, to the post of United States Secretary of State. McFaul expressed his concerns in Twitter.
“Rex Tillerson did a fantastic job for shareholders of Exxon Mobile Corporation. I am not sure that the same skills will contribute to the work of U.S. Secretary of State,” McFaul wrote. He added that Tillerson could contribute to the lifting of anti-Russian sanctions despite the absence of changes in Russian policy towards Ukraine.
McFaul noted that Tillerson has close business ties with the Executive Chairman of Rosneft, Igor Sechin, who is in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s sanctions list. He also added that he doubts Tillerson would be able to separate personal from national interests.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced his decision to nominate Tillerson for the post of new U.S Secretary of State on December 13. Tillerson has since accepted the appointment.