Pentagon chief set to find way to deter Russian aggression

The Russian aggression in Ukraine and other regions has undermined the international legal order and has forced the US and NATO to use the new strategy to deter destabilizing influence of Moscow.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter stated this in Washington on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Russia has used political, economic, and military tools to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries, flouted international legal norms, and destabilized the European security order by attempting to annex Crimea and continuing to fuel further violence in eastern Ukraine," Carter said, describing this as one of the most serious challenges.

Pentagon chief said he had discussed the response with NATO allies last week.

"We'll take all the necessary steps to deter Russia's malign and destabilizing influence, coercion and aggression," Carter said.

He stressed that was the new reality for the West strategically, but it looked like it was here to stay.

"If Russia wants to end its international isolation and be considered a responsible power, it has to stop its aggression in eastern Ukraine; end the annexation -- it's occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea; and live up to its commitments under the Minsk agreement,"  the U.S. Secretary of Defense stressed.