“Russia is a threat #1 for the USA”, US Secretary of the Air Force Debora James said in the interview to Reuters, BBC reports.
“Now we are facing many challenges, but, due to its nuclear potential, Russia can pose a threat to the existence of our country”, James specified.
The previously retired US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter assailed with criticism on Russia and claimed that the USA need to further strengthen its alliance with NATO in order to stand up to “new and old threats, taking new shape” together.
“The Russian aggression and provocations are based on false ambitions and inappropriate insults”, Carter said. He claimed that Moscow violated the international arms control agreement and “rattles the nuclear weapon”.
US Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall and Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson made such statements, declaring fears concerning Russia.
Neither of the officials specified how this can impact US budget 2018, however, they all emphasized the necessity to focus on strengthening cybersecurity, nuclear technologies and missile defense.
In this September, US Senate approved the country’s budget for FY 2017: 602 bln dollars were spent on military needs.
The document separately stipulates the ban on allocation of funds for military cooperation with Russia.
Protecting the financing project, Ashton Carter spoke much about the Russian aggression in Europe. In the future year, the expenses for its deterrence will increase four times.
