This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute.

Rex Tillerson knows his way around Moscow, but this week he is there in an unfamiliar role. He’s no longer a senior executive of a vendor to Russia, Exxon Mobil – in which capacity, he was once awarded the Order of Friendship by Vladimir Putin, himself.

Today, Mr. Tillerson is Secretary of State of the nation Putin hates most: the United States of America. In that capacity, it is imperative that Mr. Tillerson neither is nor appears to be a friend of a hostile Russia.

Given the myriad strains in the U.S. relationship with Russia at the moment, Secretary Tillerson has to demonstrate that Putin’s continued hostility will entail costs. For example, he should tell Putin that, in light of his long-running efforts to destroy our energy sector, Russia will not be allowed to acquire and operate strategic Citgo refineries and pipelines across America. 

This is Frank Gaffney.