Gates Warns Russia Could Harm Relations With U.S. “For Years To Come” - With Video
Defense Secretary Robert Gates held his first official news conference since the Russians invaded Georgia and said, among other things, that if the Russiana don’t knock it off, it could hurt U.S./Russia relations “For years to come.”
WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Thursday that if Russia doesn’t pull back from its fighting in Georgia it could hurt Moscow-Washington relations “for years to come.”
Speaking at his first Pentagon news conference since the fighting started, Gates also said he does not see “any prospect” for the use of U.S. military force there.
“The United States spent 45 years working very hard to avoid a military confrontation with Russia,” said Gates. “I see no reason to change that approach today.”
But Gates said Russia must face retribution for a military assault on Georgia that appears aimed at punishing the small nation for “daring to try to integrate with the West economically, and politically, and in security arrangements.”
Saying Russia has serious work to do to restore its place in the international community, he said Moscow’s actions have given other European nations a greater incentive to stand with the West.
“I think what happens in the days and months to come will determine the future course of U.S.-Russian relations,” said Gates. “My personal view is that there need to be some consequences for … the actions that Russia has taken against a sovereign state.”
Asked if he trusted Putin, Gates smiled.
“I have never believed that one should make national security policy on the basis of trust,” said Gates, who has jousted with Putin routinely over the years. “I think you make national security policy based on interests and on realities.”
(AP)
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