National Security Advisor Susan Rice refuted president-elect Donald Trump's positive remarks about Russia, citing the country's actions in Europe and the Middle East as reasons why the United States should be wary of the former Soviet state.
"It's more of an adversary than a friend and certainly not an ally," Rice told MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell. "We found that it's possible on some issues where our interests overlap to work constructively with Russia as we did on the Iran deal for example or the New START Treaty.
"Russia's behavior is becoming increasingly aggressive, as evidenced by its invasion of Crimea of Ukraine, its annexation of Crimea, and its horrific involvement in the civil war in Syria on the side of Assad, where it has been responsible for mass atrocities. So Russia's behavior has become more problematic. It has threatened our partners and friends in Europe and around the world, and so it's very important that the United States stand very firmly against Russia when it is aggressive, and acting in ways that are adverse to our interests."
Mitchell also asked Rice about Trump's recent statement his becoming friends with Russian President Vladimir Putin could be an asset.
"We have one government at a time, and it's vitally important that we respect that principle, because when we engage with foreign entities, friends, but adversaries even more so, it's necessary that we communicate with one voice, and I am hopeful that that principle has been respected."
In an interview published Sunday, Trump told The Times of London the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is "obsolete," which reportedly alarmed European diplomats, according to The New York Times. Trump also said he would consider dropping sanctions on Russia in exchange for "good deals" on nuclear reduction.
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