H.R.
McMaster said during an interview on Sunday with MSNCBC’s Hugh Hewitt
that "the nature of the Russian regime is one person,” Russian president
Vladimir Putin.
Mr Hewitt asked about the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 American Presidential election.
Mr
McMaster said it was a: "sophisticated campaign of subversion,
disinformation and propaganda that is going every day in an effort to
break apart Europe and that pits political groups against each other ...
to sow dissension and conspiracy theories.”
However, he did not
elaborate on specific actions by Russia, but criticised Russia’s role in
the Syrian civil war and its support for Iran.
McMaster also said
that there should be consequences for Russia’s "destabilising
behaviour”, but they should still cooperate with Russia on certain
national security goals, such as deescalating tensions with North Korea.
Tensions between the two powers are currently running high as days ago Mr Trump signed fresh sanctions against Russia.
In response, Russia
seized two US diplomatic properties and ordered all American embassy
staff and consulates to reduce their overall numbers from 1,200 to 445
people.
Mr Trump issued a statement criticising the law, urging US
lawmakers not to use the measures to hinder the thawing in relations
between the two superpowers or frustrate efforts to resolve the Ukraine
crisis.
The
statement says: "While I favour tough measures to punish and deter
aggressive and destabilising behavior by Iran, North Korea, and Russia,
this legislation is significantly flawed.
"In its haste to pass this legislation, the Congress included a number of clearly unconstitutional provisions.
The law restricts Mr Trump’s ability to lift the sanctions.
Congress
pushed ahead with the sanctions in response to Russia’s suspected
interference in last year’s presidential election as well as the Ukraine
conflict and annexing of Crimea.
Mr Trump said in his statement he will not tolerate interference in the US’ democratic process.
