(CNSNews.com) - Nations like Russia that are "playing by their own rules" are testing the "principled international order," Defense Secretary Ash Carter told a gathering in England on Wednesday.
He mentioned Russian aggression in Ukraine and Georgia; its "unprofessional behavior" in the air, space and cyberspace; and its nuclear saber-rattling.
Carter said the U.S. and U.K. would like to work more closely with Russia, and while "the door remains open," the U.S. is taking a "strong and balanced approach...to deter Russian aggression against our allies."
"Let me be clear. The United States does not seek a cold, let alone a hot war with Russia. We don't seek an enemy in Russia. But also make no mistake, we will defend our allies, the principled international order and the positive future it affords us.
"We will counter attempts to undermine our collective security and will not ignore attempts to interfere with our democratic (voting) processes."
Carter noted that the U.S. hasn't had to worry about deterrence in Eastern Europe for more than 25 years. "Unfortunately, now we do. That's why the U.S. is strengthening its deterrent posture here in Europe."
Carter noted that the U.S. defense budget for Fiscal 2017 includes $3.4 billion for the European Reassurance Initiative, more than four times as much as the amount allocated last year.
"That will allow us to rotate an armored brigade combat team into Europe on a persistent basis, and to pre-position a brigade's worth of equipment and war-fighting gear to be used by Amerian troops flown into Europe. And that's in addition, of course, to the two brigades the United States already has stationed in Europe," Carter said.
"Meanwhile NATO...has been writing a new playbook for itself."
Carter said NATO is adapting and innovating to meet new challenges such as cyber- and hybrid-warfare threats. It also is working to become more agile and quick in responding to threats.
Additionally, NATO and its members are providing support to Ukraine and Georgia, whose sovereignty has been violated by Russia. "We're helping them strengthen their capabilities for national defense, to improve their ability to work with NATO, to reform their defense institutions, all important in the face of Russian coercion and aggression.
"Of course, even as we take these prudent steps to guard against a revisionist and more aggressive Russia, the United States will continue to hold out the possibility that Russia could one day assume the role of a constructive and reliable partner."
A good place to start would be for Russia, an ally of Syria, to help the U.S. take the necessary steps to achieve a ceasefire and political transition in that country, he added.