Russia and China “continue to militarise the Arctic” and seek to create an economic foothold for regional influence, says Todd Walters, head of the European Command
Russia remains an existential threat to the United States and its European allies, despite the economic sanctions imposed on it. General Todd Walters, head of the US European Command, made this assertion on Wednesday at an Air Force Association forum.
The Pentagon is concerned about the growing cooperation between Russia and China
“We live in a time of great power competition. Winning now ensures that this great power competition does not escalate into a global war,” he said. – <…> Despite continuing economic sanctions, Russia is carrying out destabilising and malicious actions around the world, with many of the actions taking place close to Europe.” Walters then listed a set of standard accusations against the Russian side. Moscow, in particular, in his view, is trying to “divide and weaken US partners and allies”.
“Russia remains a constant existential threat to the United States and our European allies”, – the Pentagon press service quoted him as saying.
At the same time, the general believes that Russia and China “continue to militarise the Arctic” and try to create an economic bridgehead for regional influence.
Russia has repeatedly pointed out the confrontational nature of the U.S. great power rivalry idea and called for such a concept to be abandoned.