LONDON, February 17. /TASS/. The United States has no intention of changing the entire security architecture in Europe as part of efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, Jim Risch, US Republican senator of Idaho and chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told TASS.
"There is no need for a new security architecture. The current structure was created after World War II. It has worked well," he pointed out after an address to the London-based Policy Exchange think tank.
He admitted that the system had not "deterred war in Ukraine" but Sweden and Finland "jumped up following neutrality for some time." "Architecture is stronger than ever," the US senator underscored.
Risch stressed that NATO played a key role in forming a security system in Europe. However, nobody "is fool enough to set foot on Article 5." "It means what it says: not one square of NATO inch," he said.
Risch went on to say that US President Donald Trump’s administration planned to end the conflict in Ukraine through diplomacy. According to him, "there will be no absolutely happy people" once the conflict is settled because Kiev and its Western allies will have to make compromises. In his view, Washington will take European countries’ positions into account during talks with Russia. "It’s going to be shuttle diplomacy. There is no question who will be behind the table. Everyone will have their say," the US senator noted.
Risch emphasized that the US did not want an end to the war that would look like a victory for Russia. Still, he was hopeful that the conflict would end soon.
Risch also highlighted the need for European countries to increase defense spending. "Europe is facing the largest security crisis in the post-war period. European countries need to change their actions. I know it will be difficult," he remarked. "Now, only the UK and France can wage high-intensive military operations overseas. But the British Army is still too small. Increasing defense spending is needed for deterrence not only against Russia but against China as well," the US senator explained.
According to him, the US is not "not averse to allies’ interests" as "Europe is needed for deterring China" but European countries are "losing their economic edge."
Risch stated that "China is not satisfied with the balance of power in Asia," seeking to upgrade its armed forces. In his opinion, Russia may try to change the world order together with China.