Pentagon Chief Rejects Military Cooperation With Russia

[Boats]

Pentagon Chief Rejects Military Cooperation With Russia
by Tyler Durden - Feb 16, 2017 11:07 AM
RE: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-0...eration-russia

One day after Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told US NATO allies they will have to pay up and meet their mandatory quota of 2% of GDP (which only 5 nations currently satisfy, among them the US and Greece), on Thursday the Pentagon's new chief also had some bad news for Russia when he rejected any kind of military collaboration with Russia, despite previous calls by Putin for the West to work with his country on Syria and other issues.

Quoted by the WSJ, Mattis said at NATO's Brussels headquarters that “We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level” adding that “our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground or a way forward where Russia, living up to its commitments, will return to a partnership of sorts, here with NATO.” Prior to the meeting, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu expressed hope for cooperation but warned that “attempts to build a dialogue from a position of strength with regard to Russia are hopeless.”

Mattis’s remarks came after Mr. Putin made a plea for the alliance and other nations to cooperate with Russia. “It’s in everyone’s interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO,” said Mr. Putin, addressing Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on Thursday.

The sudden chill in US-Russian relations is understandable: the Trump administration remains in turmoil over questions about the extent of Trump administration contacts with Russia, and tensions have been rising.

Elsewhere, as reported previously, the top US general, Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The meeting will mark the highest-level military contact between Washington and Moscow since 2014. Shoigu added that the Russians “await clarification of the position of the Pentagon” at the Baku meeting.

Of particular interest will be any discussion between the US and Russia on the topic of NATO expansion.

NATO has been pursuing a multinational force on its eastern flank as a deterrent over Moscow’s aggression in the region. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the allies didn’t want to isolate Russia but still wanted “a firm predictable approach, including credible deterrence.”

He announced that alliance defense ministers had approved a plan to bolster its naval forces in the Black Sea, which is bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and other countries, and would improve military intelligence in the area.

Mr. Stoltenberg said the alliance’s standing maritime fleets would make more frequent visits to the Black Sea and step up military exercises. “It will be measured, it will be defensive and it will be no way aim at provoking a conflict or escalating tensions,” Mr. Stoltenberg said.
Understandably, Russia has taken frequent issue with operations in the Black Sea by naval vessels from nations that don’t border it.

[Boats]

Trump defense chief Mattis: US not ready for military cooperation with Russia
By James Masters, CNN
Updated 11:33 AM ET, Thu February 16, 2017
RE: http://us.cnn.com/2017/02/16/politic...ion/index.html

(CNN)US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Thursday that the US is"not in a position right now" to collaborate with Russia on military matters.

Speaking at a NATO conference in Brussels, Mattis accused Russia of violating international law, labeling its actions as "aggressive" and "destabilizing."

Mattis, who spoke of the need to negotiate with Russia "from a position of strength" on Wednesday, was cool on any prospect of working with Moscow.

"We are not in a position right now to collaborate on the military level, but our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground," he said Thursday.

"Russia's aggressive actions have violated international law and are destabilizing."
Mattis also said there is "very little doubt" that Russia has interfered in a number of democratic elections.

It was one of the starkest comments to date on Moscow's alleged hacking made by a Trump administration official.

Asked whether the Kremlin had meddled in the US election, Mattis answered: "There's very little doubt that they have either interfered -- or they have attempted to interfere -- in a number of elections in the democracies."

Mattis claims Russia has interfered in a number of elections

"Russia's aggressive actions have violated international law," Mattis says
(CNN)US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Thursday that the US is"not in a position right now" to collaborate with Russia on military matters.

Speaking at a NATO conference in Brussels, Mattis accused Russia of violating international law, labeling its actions as "aggressive" and "destabilizing."

Mattis, who spoke of the need to negotiate with Russia "from a position of strength" on Wednesday, was cool on any prospect of working with Moscow.

"We are not in a position right now to collaborate on the military level, but our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground," he said Thursday.

"Russia's aggressive actions have violated international law and are destabilizing."
Mattis also said there is "very little doubt" that Russia has interfered in a number of democratic elections.

Russian spy ship spotted off of US coast 01:04

It was one of the starkest comments to date on Moscow's alleged hacking made by a Trump administration official.

Asked whether the Kremlin had meddled in the US election, Mattis answered: "There's very little doubt that they have either interfered -- or they have attempted to interfere -- in a number of elections in the democracies."

Earlier Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged for communication between his country's and America's intelligence services to be restored.

Putin said "all relevant governments and international groups should work together."

RUSSIA WARNING

On Wednesday, Mattis reiterated US support for NATO while highlighting the threat posed by Moscow. Mattis labeled NATO a "fundamental bedrock for the US and all the transatlantic community," and urged it be wary.

Russia deploys missile in apparent treaty violation

"While the United States and the alliance seek to engage Russia, we must at the same time defend ourselves if Russia chooses to act contrary to international law," Mattis said.

"Just as we did throughout the darkest days of the Cold War, the United States remains willing to keep open political channels of cooperation and deescalate tensions.

"We remain open to opportunities to restore a cooperative relationship with Moscow, while being realistic in our expectations and ensuring our diplomats negotiate from a position of strength."

PAY UP

On Wednesday Mattis also warned that the US could "moderate" its commitment to NATO if other member states fail to meet the requisite spending targets.
Just five of the 28 member states currently meet the alliance's spending target of 2% of GDP -- leading Mattis to urge others to pay up.

"America will meet its responsibilities, but if your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals needs to show support for our common defense," he said.

NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called it a "fair demand" during a news conference Wednesday.

"The message from Secretary Mattis is a fair message, it is a fair demand, that we need fairer burden sharing."