US security adviser warns Russia must 'pay the price' for interfering in internal affairs

US National Security Advisor John Bolton. Photo: Sputnik

Speaking at an event in Washington yesterday, June 11, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said that the decision to remove barriers to US cyberattacks last year was a message to Washington's opponents.

“The purpose of this is to tell Russia or any other country that engages in cyber operations against us that there will be a cost to them if we find out. We will make them pay a cost until they realize that their cyber operations against us are futile,” the US national security adviser said.

According to Mr. Bolton, the US has taken steps to establish “deterrent structures” in cyberspace and stop interference in US elections. RT news agency commented that what Mr. Bolton described is like the US is launching a cyber war against Russia.

The US national security adviser said Washington's efforts are mainly aimed at state entities such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. However, Mr. Bolton also noted cyber attacks carried out by private forces.

US officials have repeatedly accused Russia of malicious cyber intrusions. Special counsel Robert Mueller's report said Russian military intelligence broke into the email accounts of former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee's network during the 2016 US presidential election, in an attempt to sabotage Clinton's campaign.

Russia has repeatedly denied allegations of meddling in the US election. It has also proposed a plan for global cooperation to counter common threats, including cyberattacks and disinformation. Last year, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov complained that Russia’s proposals were rejected and that some countries seemed more interested in attacking Russia than cooperating.