Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. permanent representative to NATO, said the alliance should exercise caution in its approach to threats alleged to originate from Russia. Whitaker rejected assessments that Russia poses a threat to NATO.
Whitaker said Russia was not seeking a confrontation with NATO. Moscow has also repeatedly stated that it has no intention of attacking NATO member states.
Drones in NATO airspace
Whitaker also assessed the drones that have recently entered the airspace of NATO countries more frequently, describing the incidents as accidents resulting from actions by both sides in the Ukraine conflict.
The U.S. representative said being drawn into a conflict would not serve the interests of any side. He stressed that responses to hybrid activities should not become disproportionate.
Whitaker made the remarks in an interview with the Associated Press.
Putin's remarks
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously said in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson that Moscow had no intention of attacking NATO countries and that such an attack would serve no purpose for Russia.
Putin also argued that Western politicians were frightening their populations with an imaginary Russian threat. The Russian leader said this was intended to divert attention from domestic problems.