US general calls Russia "the number one threat".

Russia is currently the "greatest global threat" to the United States, according to the general nominated to be President Barack Obama's senior military adviser.

"Russia is currently the greatest threat to our national security," General Joseph Dunford told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing to become the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

U.S. Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford. (Photo: Reuters)

According to CNN, Dunford argued that, with a large nuclear arsenal, a role in Ukraine, and a threat to NATO countries bordering Russia, Moscow is considered a major challenge to Washington.

"If you want to talk about a country that could pose an existential threat to the United States, I would have to point to Russia," General Dunford asserted.

General Dunford told Senator John McCain, the committee chairman, that it would be "reasonable" for the U.S. to provide artillery and anti-tank weapons to Kyiv to deal with the situation in eastern Ukraine. According to the general, without such assistance, Kyiv would be "unable to defend itself" against Russia.

Other senior U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, have also voiced support for providing such weapons to Ukraine. However, to date, the administration of President Barack Obama has not approved it.

Regarding other major challenges, General Dunford stated that China ranks just behind Russia due to its behavior throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He also named North Korea for its ballistic missile capabilities, along with the growing threat from ISIS.

RT reported that on July 8, US Air Force Commander Deborah James also called Russia the "greatest threat" to US security. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov immediately expressed concern about this comment and stated that it was unrelated to Moscow's actual actions.

According to Vietnamnet