The US is ready to cooperate with Russia.
(Baonghean.vn) - On March 20, US Defense Secretary James Mattis stated that the United States is ready to cooperate with Russia following Vladimir Putin's re-election as President of Russia.
Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, when asked whether he expected an improvement in relations with Russia after Putin's re-election as president, Mattis emphasized: "We are always ready to cooperate with Russia whenever possible."
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| US Defense Secretary James Mattis. Photo: Reuters |
The Pentagon chief also expressed regret that Russia had "chosen to become a strategic competitor" of the United States. He cited examples such as the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and Russia's issue of Crimea.
The US Secretary of Defense affirmed: "We remain open to cooperation, while still defending democratic institutions and our partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)."
Earlier, the US State Department threatened to "take action" against Russia in connection with the attack on former spy Skripal, while also supporting the British government's decision to expel Russian diplomats.
