U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Thursday rejected any kind of military collaboration with Russia, following a call by President Vladimir Putin for more intelligence cooperation. Washington is in turmoil over questions about Trump administration contacts with Russia, and tensions were exacerbated this month after Russian jet fighters harassed an
American destroyer in the Black Sea and Russia deployed a new cruise missile in apparent violation of an arms treaty. “We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level,” Mr. Mattis said at a meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organization defense ministers in Brussels. “But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground or a way forward where Russia, living up to its commitments, will return to a partnership of sorts, here with NATO.” READ MORE
