Vladimir Putin should not be given an easy ride by the West as Russia is our ‘rival’, Defence Secretary warns
Sir Michael Fallon cautions against turning a blind eye to Moscow as fears mount over Trump's potential hands-off approach
THE DEFENCE Secretary has warned against giving Russia an easy ride, saying Vladimir Putin must not be treated as an "equal" partner.
Michael Fallon said the West must front up to Russia amid concerns Donald Trump will turn a blind eye to increasing aggression from Moscow.
Former oil tycoon Rex Tillerson, who has had close ties to Russia in the past, is widely tipped to become the US President-elect's Secretary of State.
His appointment could signal a green light for further Russian interference in international affairs following the annexation of Crimea and its backing of armed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
President Putin has also heavily increased his military's presence along the borders with Nato allies in the Baltics.
The longstanding ally of ruthless Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad also gave the orders for the catastrophic bombing campaign in Aleppo and blocked international efforts to provide relief for trapped civilians.
Sir Michael, who was appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show on Sunday, said that he welcomed efforts to "de-escalate tensions" with Moscow.
He welcomed the appointment of former US Marine Corps general James 'Mad Dog' Mattis as US Defence Secretary, saying he looked forward to working with his American counterpart "to be strong against Russian aggression towards Nato".
But he continued: "That can't be treating Russia as an equal. Russia is a strategic competitor to us in the West and we need to understand that.
"There are things we have to talk to Russia about, of course, to de-escalate tension, to explain the purpose of our deployments within Nato to reassure the eastern members of Nato, and to persuade Russia to use its influence where it has great influence and one of those countries is Syria.
"But it can't be business as usual or some great deal with Russia."
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