Retired American General Lloyd Austin announced his readiness for closer cooperation with Russia if approved by the Pentagon chief. TASS reports.
He noted that he intends to look for ways to “prevent a dangerous escalation of tension”, to defend the interests and values of the United States. “And I will leave the door open for greater cooperation with Russia in areas of mutual interest,” Austin said.
It is clarified that among such areas for potential cooperation, Austin singled out arms control, the fight against terrorism, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as ending military conflicts in places where Russian and US troops operate in close proximity to each other.
At the same time, Austin stressed that the main task of the American side is to “contain Russia.” He added that the extension of the Treaty on Measures to Further Reduce and Limit Strategic Offensive Arms (START, unofficial name – START-3) is in the interests of the US national security.
In December last year, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Russia is on the list of America’s enemies. At the same time, he noted that he considers China to be the more important, “existential” threat to the United States.