washington u.s. secretary state rex tillerson meet democratically-minded activists russia well government officials visit late month two senators urge letter release wednesday tillerson due visit russia talk expect touch nation annexation crimea deployment land-based cruise missile role syria civil war also meet civil society activists democratic senator jeanne shaheen republican senator marco rubio say letter senators sit subcommittee oversee state department budget feel strongly democratically-minded russians know u.s. support aspirations nation top diplomat unique position communicate message letter say tillerson take four trip abroad two months office far engage public diplomacy previous republican democratic secretaries state take part events might include meet activists well town halls youths interview local journalists state department spokesman respond request comment turkey last week tillerson meet norine brunson wife jail american pastor andrew brunson missionary hold since october visit china last month tillerson make brief mention human religious right know meet activists engagements civil society representatives contrast former secretary state hillary clinton end 2009 visit china service state-sanctioned church conversation women right activists brief web chat chinese internet users russian opposition activist vladimir kara-murza tell senate hear last month important world pay attention voice russia besides president vladimir putin government russia much big much diverse putin regime kara-murza say moscow republican democratic secretaries state meet civic leaders spaso house u.s. ambassador stately residence 2007 condoleezza rice secretary state republican president george w. bush use visit encourage russian activists build democratic institutions protect human right senators urge tillerson meet activists russia