Condoleezza Rice: The Road to Peace Must Include Moscow
Condoleezza Rice: Road to peace is going to have to include Moscow
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on President Trump's first trip overseas and the US relationship with Russia.
Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state under George W. Bush, said despite a pending investigation into Russiaâs alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, itâs important for the two countries to put aside their differences.
âWe have problems with Russia and Ukraine. We have problems with Russia threatening our allies. We have problems with apparent reports that Russians are now supporting or arming the Taliban in Afghanistan, and so with that backdrop itâs really important to get together with the Russian foreign minister to send strong messages about whatâs acceptable and what isnât,â Rice said during an interview on the FOX Business Networkâs Mornings with Maria.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to Russia on Wednesday and meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the ongoing crisis with Syria. Rice, who established the âTransformational Diplomacyâ initiative to revive American foreign policy â especially in the Middle East during her term â said the âroad to peace is unfortunately going to have to include Moscow and their interest.â
âThe fact is that when the Russians decided to use military force there, they gave themselves leverage that we donât have, having decided not to do that,â she said.
Rice, who was also the first female African-American secretary of state, urged the U.S. and Russia to find common ground on North Korea.
âNobody wants a reckless North Korean leader with long-range nuclear [armed] missiles,â she said, adding, that if these missiles could reach Alaska, they could reach Vladivostock, Russia.