Russia and China are the main strategic competitors of the United States, the head of the Pentagon Mark Esper said during a speech at the American Rand Corporation center. The text of his speech is published on the website of the military department.
"Today, in an era of great powers competition, the Ministry of Defense identifies China and then Russia as our main strategic competitors," the speech reads.
According to Esper, both countries are modernizing their armed forces, as well as expanding their capabilities in space and cyberspace.
"The United States and its partners must continue to protect their fundamental principles and their way of life. And we are determined to do so, " the Pentagon head added.
Earlier, the press service of the Russian Embassy in Washington, commenting on the statements of US Air force General Timothy Ray about the danger from Moscow and Beijing, said that the US military was promoting the idea of a "Russian threat" instead of a productive dialogue.
The diplomats called on the US authorities "not to inflate anti-Russian sentiments in society" and " to focus on productive interaction in the interests of strengthening global stability and security."
Statements about the "Russian threat" are periodically heard from Western politicians, most often from the Baltic countries and Poland. Moscow has repeatedly stressed that Russia will never attack any of the NATO countries. According to the Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the North Atlantic Alliance is well aware of this, but uses the occasion to deploy more troops at the Russian borders.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: AP/TASS
Based on materials RIA Novosti