US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) arrives at the EU headquarters in Brussels on May 13, 2019. AFP / JOHN THYS
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has changed the schedule for his latest trip to Europe, substituting a stop in Brussels for one in Moscow to discuss Iran and other issues with European officials.
State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus says Pompeo, who departed Sunday night, is still expected to meet Tuesday in Sochi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The visit to Sochi will be Pompeo's first to Russia as secretary of state.
Twice last week Pompeo changed his travel schedule at the last minute, also citing matters dealing with Iran. He cancelled a stop in Berlin to fly to Iraq, then canceled a stop in Greenland to fly home from London.
