McMaster: Kremlin's Confidence is Growing

H.R. McMaster, President Trump's second National Security Advisor who will be replaced by John Bolton on April 9th, warns the United States is not doing enough to counter Russian aggression, leaving our nation vulnerable and Putin feeling emboldened.

In a speech before The Atlantic Council on Tuesday, McMaster delivered the following remarks:

Russia employs sophisticated strategies deliberately designed to achieve objectives while falling below the target state’s threshold for a military response. Tactics include infiltrating social media, spreading propaganda, weaponizing information, and using other forms of subversion and espionage.

So for too long some nations have looked the other way in the face of these threats. Russia brazenly and implausibly denies its actions. And we have failed to impose sufficient costs.

The Kremlin’s confidence is growing as its agents conduct their sustained campaigns to undermine our confidence in ourselves and in one another. Last month, Russia used a military-grade nerve agent in an attempted murder that endangered the lives of over 130 people, including many children. This attack was the first offensive use of nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War ...

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Russia has also conducted numerous cyberattacks against free nations. On March 15th, the Trump administration released a report condemning the Russian government for malicious cyber intrusions that targeted U.S. critical infrastructure, including our energy sector. And we also know that Russia was behind the recent NotPetya cyberattack that caused billions of dollars in damage around the world.

Further, over the past year Russia has conducted numerous intercepts of U.S., allied, and partner aircraft and vessels, including in the Nordic-Baltic region, threatening freedom of navigation and endangering our personnel.

Mr. Putin may believe that he is winning in this new form of warfare. He may believe that his aggressive actions in the parks of Salisbury and cyberspace, in the air and on the high seas can undermine our confidence, our institutions, and our values. Perhaps he believes that our free nations are weak and will not respond – will not respond to his provocations.

He is wrong. Russian aggression is strengthening our resolve and our confidence ...

McMaster went on to detail the ways he believes the Trump administration has taken action so far, mentioning the implementation of sanctions and the removal of Russian diplomats. However, he added, "we must recognize the need for all of us to do more to respond to and deter Russian aggression ..."

McMaster: 'We have failed to impose sufficient costs' on Russia (CNN)