News / Interviews

Carter shows 'complete lack of perspective' on Russia: Analyst

Tuesday, 03 May 2016 3:45 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 03 May 2016 4:34 PM ]

“I don’t see how military movements inside one’s own country can be considered provocation, but I can certainly see how expanding an alliance on to the borders of another power is itself a provocation,” says James Jatras.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s criticism of Russia for its military maneuvers near its own borders in Eastern Europe shows a “lack of perspective” by the Pentagon chief, a former US Senate policy adviser and diplomat says.

“The secretary’s comments show a complete lack of perspective in what the international situation is,” said James Jatras, who is also a specialist in international relations and legislative politics in Washington.

“To fault Russia for military maneuvers within its own borders, on its own territory--because it comes close to ‘NATO borders’-- simply shows how much NATO has expanded to be right on Russia’s borders,” Jatras told Press TV on Tuesday.

“I don’t see how military movements inside one’s own country can be considered the provocation but I can certainly see how expanding an alliance on to the borders of another power is itself a provocation,” he added.

On Tuesday, Carter criticized Russia for “going back in time” with its confrontational actions and pledged a robust military buildup on NATO’s eastern flank to deter the Russian “aggression.”

Carter said NATO was not seeking “a cold, let alone hot, war with Russia,” but added that the Western alliance was ready to defend its allies.

The Pentagon chief made the remarks at a ceremony in the western German city of Stuttgart in which he presided over the change of command for US European Command.

US officials accuse Russia of flexing its military muscles in Ukraine and Syria and provocative interactions with US armed forces.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk