Radio Free Europe:
The U.S. defense secretary strongly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of deceit involving a key Cold War-era arms control treaty, and acting recklessly in last week’s naval confrontation with Ukraine.
In his comments December 1, Jim Mattis also asserted that Moscow had tried to interfere in last month’s midterm congressional elections.
“We are dealing with someone that we simply cannot trust,” Mattis said during a speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. “There is no doubt the relationship has worsened.” Mattis was also asked how Washington could deter further Russian confrontation.
“This is a very complex situation because Mr. Putin is clearly a slow learner,” Mattis said. “He is not recognizing that what he is doing is actually creating the animosity against his people. He’s not acting in the best interests of the Russian people, and he is actually causing NATO to rearm.”
