Defense Secretary Ash Carter took aim at Russia’s actions in Syria this week, saying Moscow’s behavior there and Ukraine is isolating the country.
“We have seen increasing unprofessional behavior” by Russia, Carter said Thursday at a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels. He cited the country’s violation of Turkish airspace, shooting cruise missiles from ships in the Caspian Sea into Syria without warning, its army’s new ground assault, and the fact that a Russian plane came “within a few miles” of a U.S. drone.
“Instead of engaging in a political transition in Syria, which is needed in this long-suffering country, Russia has chosen to double down on their longstanding relations with [Syrian President Bashar al-Assad],” he said. “We believe this is a fundamental strategic mistake, and this will enflame and prolong the Syrian civil war.”
Carter said Russia’s behavior proves that the U.S. and its allies have no reason to believe what Moscow says about its intentions. After promising to carry out strikes agains the Islamic State and instead targeting anti-Assad forces, Russia shattered “the facade that they’re there to fight ISIL.”
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Carter also laid out the U.S. plan for dealing with Russia’s aggression:
- Continue to conduct strikes against Islamic State militants
- Continue to support the moderate Syrian opposition
- Seek agreement with Russia on safety procedures
- “Leave the door open” for Russia to rejoin the push for regime change in Damascus.
“We have not and will not agree to cooperate with Russia as long as they continue to pursue this misguided strategy,” he said.
“This will have consequences for Russia itself, which is rightfully fearful of attack on Russia,” Carter continued. “I suspect Russians will begin to suffer casualties in Syria.”
