Lloyd Austin
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 stand up for 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, unofficially known as START-3) is in the interests of US national security.
Last December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that Russia was on the list of America's enemies. At the same time, he noted that the more important, “existential” threat to the United States, he considers China.
