Russia doubts US nominee to replace Tillerson will take softer approach

MOSCOW – Russia has no reason to believe nominated US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will take a softer approach than his predecessor, RIA news agency cited Moscow's envoy to the European Union as saying on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday after a series of public rifts over policy on North Korea, Russia and Iran, replacing his chief diplomat with loyalist CIA Director Mike Pompeo.