“Putin wants to rebuild the Russian Empire; the US should continue to lead NATO.”

Russia poses a serious threat to US interests, while Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to form an axis with China, Iran, and North Korea to overthrow the US-led international order. This is according to a report on Russia by the McCain Institute.

The report emphasizes that “regardless of the outcome of the war in Ukraine, Russia will remain a major adversary of the United States.”

The report also states that peace in Europe and the prevention of armed Russian aggression remain key interests.

Russia and China are working together to destroy the US-led order, and China supports Russia’s war in Ukraine. Around 80 percent of Americans view Russia as an adversary, 85 percent view Russia negatively, and 86 percent are concerned about cooperation with US adversaries China, Iran, and North Korea. Preventing Putin’s victory in Ukraine strengthens Washington’s position vis-à-vis this axis of aggressors. Putin’s Russia will remain an adversary of the US even after any resolution of the conflict,” the report states.

Beyond Ukraine, Putin will continue to have the ability and intention to threaten America’s NATO allies with both military invasion and hybrid warfare.

The United States must continue to take the lead in NATO.

“Leadership from the sidelines does not bring security to the American people, but rather the opposite. Just as Europe tried to provide more support to Ukraine in the war than the United States, so too must Europe do so to protect the postwar peace. But without continued American leadership and presence, Europeans are unable to do this alone. Two world wars that began after the United States withdrew from Europe illustrate the risk to American security if this were to happen again. Allowing Putin to take Ukraine would increase the likelihood of a major European war in which American forces would be drawn in. Withdrawing from Ukraine would only trigger a larger conflict that threatens vital American interests. Peace through strength requires a strong NATO alliance led by the United States,” the report states, reports

/The Geopost.