The Pentagon doesn’t believe Russia is seeking a military confrontation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
Speaking at a House of Representatives hearing, he said a Russian attack on a NATO member would drastically alter the state of affairs in geopolitics. NATO would respond in some way as a coalition, under Article 5 of the treaty, he said.
But he said he didn’t see any plans by Russia to start a military clash with NATO.
"As you look at Russian President Vladimir Putin's calculus, my view is that Russia doesn't want to take on the NATO alliance," Austin said.
