National security adviser H.R. McMaster on Sunday said the U.S. is willing to give Russia a chance to redeem itself from its past association with Syrian leader Bashar Assad.
“Do they want it to be a relationship of competition and potential conflict? I don’t see how that’s in Russian interests. Or do they want it to be a relationship in which we can find areas of cooperation that are in mutual interests?” McMaster asked during an interview on Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday.”
McMaster said the Russia’s relationship with the U.S. can be “whatever the Russians wants it to be.”
Instead of being a part of the problem going forward, McMaster said Russian could become “part of the solution” if President Vladimir Putin and other Moscow leaders choose to re-evaluate their current path forward.
“Russia should ask themselves, ‘What are we doing here?”” McMaster said. “‘Why are we supporting this murderous regime that is committing mass murder of its own population and using the most heinous weapons available?'”
Last Thursday, the Trump administration approved a 59-missile strike of a Syrian air base where chemical weapons used in a recent attack by Assad on its citizens had been stored.
McMaster said a political solution is desired before considering additional military action in Syria.
