Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon brands Vladimir Putin’s worldwide meddling a threat to Britain
Fallon highlighted a Russian 'pattern of interference' as US counterpart Jim Mattis joined him in London for discussions on Nato
DEFENCE Secretary Sir Michael Fallon yesterday branded Vladimir Putin’s worldwide meddling a threat to Britain.
He said as US counterpart Jim Mattis joined him in London for discussions on Nato: “There is a pattern of interference now by Russia in different parts of the globe.”
He added grimly: “We need to be extremely watchful.”
The alert follows fears the Russian President’s latest moves, include arming the Taliban.
US general Curtis Scaparrotti, Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, voiced suspicions last month as the Taliban seized Sangin.
The Afghan town was where more than 100 of the 456 UK troops killed during the war lost their lives.
Mr Mattis — Donald Trump’s Secretary of Defense — refused to be drawn on whether the Kremlin supplied weapons.
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But he said: “We have seen Russian activity vis-a-vis the Taliban.”
He also made a point of saluting the sacrifice of British troops in Afghanistan. Mr Mattis backed Sir Michael, who said Russian interference was now a persistent pattern.
Both called for Nato countries failing to spend two per cent of GDP on defence to honour the commitment.
Mr Mattis said of the US and Britain: “Our two nations are bulwarks against the maniacs who think that by hurting us they can scare us.”