Rex Tillerson: “I come before you at a pivotal time in both the history of our nation and our world.”

The United States does not seek to fight the Syrian government or pro-Syrian government forces.

Where religious freedom is not protected, we know that instability, human rights abuses, and violent extremism have a greater opportunity to take root.

The United States and Russia certainly have unresolved differences on a number of issues. But we have the potential to appropriately coordinate in Syria in order to produce stability and serve our mutual security interests.

America First, as we said, does not mean America alone. We will continue our strong alliances and partnerships.