RFE/RL reports that “U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter urged Russia to stop ‘going backwards’ towards the Cold War era with ‘saber-rattling’ and aggressive actions that have put NATO on high alert.”  

“‘We do not seek to make Russia an enemy,’ Carter said on May 3 at a ceremony in Stuttgart to install U.S. Army General Curtis ‘Mike’ Scaparrotti as NATO’s new top commander in Europe.”  

“‘We do not seek a cold, let alone a hot war with Russia. But make no mistake: We will defend our allies, the rules-based international order, and the positive future it affords us.'”