US general assesses the possibility of direct conflict with Russia

According to RIA Novosti on May 14, the head of the US Northern Command, General Gregory Guillot, told the US Congress that there is still a "high possibility" that the conflict in Ukraine will escalate into a direct confrontation between the US and Russia.

"There are still several ways that the conflict in Ukraine could escalate into a direct military conflict between the United States and Russia," General Guillot told a congressional hearing. At the same time, according to the head of the US Northern Command, the situation in the Middle East is threatening "a direct military conflict with Iran and its proxy forces."

According to him, although Russia, Iran and China seek to avoid direct armed conflict with Washington, their belief in the decline of the West "gives rise to a growing desire to challenge the United States on the international stage and increases the risk of miscalculation in a crisis situation."

General Guillot said tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea also “always carry the potential for escalation into a military conflict between China and the United States.” At the same time, he said, the situation on the Korean Peninsula is threatening “a renewed conflict.”

General Guillot said the Pentagon believes Russia's "already formidable" cruise missile capabilities pose a threat to the United States.

"Russia has significantly increased its ability to threaten North America with conventional air- and sea-launched cruise missiles. Three years of operations in Ukraine have provided valuable combat experience for the Russian air force and navy," General Guillot said at a congressional hearing.

He noted that last year Russia “resumed its pre-war strategic deterrence patrol tempo, including numerous flights along the North American coast.”

Guillot added that Russia's development of the Sarmat missile system, the Poseidon underwater nuclear torpedo and the Burevestnik cruise missile also pose a threat to the United States.