Russia's recent actions 'disregarded' US interests: Tillerson

Russia "poses a danger" and its recent activities have "disregarded" US interests, Rex Tillerson said today at his Secretary of State confirmation hearing amid a raging controversy over President-elect Donald Trump's close ties with that country.
"While Russia seeks respect and relevance on the global stage, its recent activities have disregarded American interests," the 64-year-old former ExxonMobil CEO told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Tillerson's remarks came after Trump was hit by sensational claims that he was "cultivated" by Russia for years and Moscow has compromising information on him. The claims were dismissed by the President-elect a "witch hunt".
Appearing before the committee for his confirmation for the post of Secretary of State, Tillerson listed ISIS, China and Russia as his foreign policy priorities.

However, there was no mention of India in his nine-page prepared testimony and opening remarks before members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this morning.
Tillerson took a strong line on Russia, saying, "We must also be clear-eyed about our relationship with Russia. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests."

"It has invaded Ukraine, including the taking of Crimea, and supported Syrian forces that brutally violate the laws of war. Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia," he said.
But it was in the absence of American leadership that this door was left open and unintended signals were sent, he asserted.

The United States backtracked on commitments that it made to allies, he said. "We sent weak or mixed signals with 'red lines' that turned into green lights. We did not recognise that Russia does not think like we do," Tillerson said.
Words, he noted, alone do not sweep away an uneven and at times contentious history between the US and Russia.
"But we need an open and frank dialogue with Russia regarding its ambitions, so that we know how to chart our own course," he said.
"Where cooperation with Russia based on common interests is possible, such as reducing the global threat of terrorism, we ought to explore these options. Where important differences remain, we should be steadfast in defending the interests of America and her allies," Tillerson said.

"Russia must know that we will be accountable to our commitments and those of our allies, and that Russia must be held to account for its actions," he added.
America faces considerable threats in this evolving new environment, he said.
China, Tillerson said, has emerged as an economic power in global trade, and US' interactions have been both friendly and adversarial.
Radical Islam is not a new ideology, but it is hateful, deadly, and an illegitimate expression of the Islamic faith, he asserted during the hearing.
Adversaries like Iran and North Korea pose grave threats to the world because of their refusal to conform to international norms, Tillerson said, listing out his priorities.

In an apparent criticism of the outgoing Obama Administration, Tillerson said in recent decades, there has been doubts have been cast over American leadership.
"In some instances, we have withdrawn from the world. In others, we have intervened with good intentions but did not achieve the stability and global security we sought. Instead, we triggered a host of unintended consequences and created a void of uncertainty" he said.
Tillerson said the incoming Trump Administration proposes "a bold new commitment" to advancing American interests in its foreign policy.
"We must hold ourselves accountable to upholding the promises we make to others. An America that can be trusted in good faith is essential to supporting our partners, achieving our goals, and assuring our security," he said.

"We must hold our allies accountable to commitments they make. We cannot look the other way at allies who do not meet their obligations; this is an injustice not only to us, but to longstanding friends who honour their promises and bolster our own national security," he added.
Tillerson also said the US must hold those who are not its friends accountable to the agreements they make.
"Our failure to do this over recent decades has diminished our standing and encouraged bad actors around the world to break their word," he rued.
America he noted, cannot afford to ignore violations of international accords, as it has done with Iran.

"We cannot continue to accept empty promises like the ones China has made to pressure North Korea to reform, only to shy away from enforcement," he said.
"Looking the other way when trust is broken only encourages more bad behavior. And it must end. We cannot be accountable if we are not truthful and honest in our dealings. Some of you are aware of my longstanding involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. One of our bedrock ideals is honesty. Indeed, the phrase 'on my honour' begins the Boy Scout Oath, and it must undergird our foreign policy," Tillerson said.