In Russia today, United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson delivered a hard line. The message: Stop supporting Syria’s inhumane regime.

It would appear that something changed within Donald Trump after the sarin gas attack in Syria. He’s spoken of his absolute revulsion at seeing the humanitarian toll. Since that moment, his kind words for Russia have all but disappeared.

Time will tell whether Mr. Trump has pivoted on Russia. But the US approach to this week’s talks in Russia speaks to something greater: The power of humanity to change hearts. The world’s refusal to accept atrocity is a sign of progress.