U.S. Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham announced on Jan. 22 their support for former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be confirmed as the new U.S. secretary of state, according to a joint statement, published on McCain’s official website.
The senators took the decision despite earlier voicing concerns over Tillerson’s relationships with Russian officials. Meanwhile several Democrats are lobbying for a bill that would complicate the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Russia by the new presidential administration.
Tillerson is known to be close to Igor Sechin, the chairman of Russian state oil company Rosneft, and the U.S. oil executive was also awarded the Russian State Order of Friendship, the highest award for foreigners, for his contribution to the Russian economy and investment.
Tillerson called for the easing or lifting of U.S. sanctions against Russia over Crimea several times while at Exxonmobil, appealing to the U.S. Senate to consider “who really suffers from them.”
According to documents requested by the Kyiv Post under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil applied for seven separate licenses to be exempted from U.S. sanctions against Russia while Tillerson ran the company. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Controls, which administers the country’s sanctions regime, approved four of ExxonMobil’s requests to get around sanctions.
The relationship has caused concern not only in the United States, but also in Ukraine. The decision was taken by McCain and Graham, both known for their pro-Ukraine stance, “after careful consideration and much discussion with Tillerson,” read the statement.
“Though we still have concerns about his past dealings with the Russian government and President Vladimir Putin, we believe that Mr. Tillerson can be an effective advocate for U.S. interests,” read their joint statement said.
Why the U-turn?
Reno Domenico, Sterling Business School CEO and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and president of the Ukrainian chapter of Democrats Abroad, told the Kyiv Post on Jan.22 that McCain’s and Graham’s support of Tillerson’s nomination was indicative of the Republican Party’s response to Trump in general.
“Republicans showed they have no principles. Previously they were pretty concerned about Trump’s Russian ties, but now they are caving in on everything, because all they care about is their majority and power in the Senate,” said Domenico.
Petr Zalmayev, the director of the Eurasian Democracy Initiative and an international political analyst, told the Kyiv Post on Jan.22 that the senators’ reservations about Tillerson’s nomination were apparently dispelled after the nominee went on a charm offensive both during his confirmation hearing and in subsequent private visits to McCain and Graham.
“Tillerson did a good job persuading his interrogators that, contrary to his history of being friends with the Russians, including Putin himself, he would take a tough line on Russia’s imperial adventures, including in Ukraine,” Zalmayev said.
Zalmayev said that deciding not to fight with the president on his nominees is part of a long-held American tradition, especially when it is members of his own party. McCain and Graham essentially demonstrated their good will for Trump’s first 100 days in office.
Rubio, a barrier?
Tillerson’s appointment could still be stopped or at least delayed by U.S. Republican Senator for Florida Marco Rubio who holds a tipping vote of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and is still expressing concerns over Tillerson’s Russian ties. But if the committee doesn’t approve, it can be put to a full Senate vote instead.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Washington Post reported, predicted on Jan.22 that despite Democratic lawmakers’ objections, the Senate would confirm Tillerson as the new Secretary of State.
Democrats rally
As a precaution to possible moves by Tillerson and U.S. President Donald Trump to lift sanctions against Russia, several Democrats want to introduce a bill that would require the U.S. President to seek congressional approval in order to do so, Radio Free Europe reported on Jan.22.
New York’s Senate Minority leader Charles Schumer told ABC news on Jan.22 that McCain and Graham supported the initiative (the bill) that was going to be introduced later this week.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said during his speech at the Russian leading party United Russia (Yedinaya Rossia) meeting on Jan.22 that Russia should drop “any illusions” that the sanctions will be lifted in the near future.
Kyiv Post staff writer Josh Kovensky contributed to this story.
