But tough talk on Syria from its closest ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin, made it clear that Tillerson was in for negotiations that would be difficult if not impossible.

Tillerson’s trip, following last week’s U.S. missile strikes on Syria, marks the most direct diplomatic effort by the Trump administration to seek an end to Syria’s civil war.

Russia and Iran back the government of President Bashar al-Assad, while rebel factions supported by the West and its partners have been largely driven back by withering attacks, including the use of a suspected nerve agent on a rebel stronghold that left at least 70 people dead last week.

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