Critic of Confrontation With Moscow Becomes 'Outsider' in US Congress

There should be no confrontation between Russia and the United States because hostile relations are beneficial to none of the parties, congressman from the Republican party Dana Rohrabacher believes.

The politician has long been known as a pro-Russian lone voice in the US Congress, with his colleagues criticizing him for defending the interests of Moscow.

Rohrabacher earlier told Sputnik that the United States has adopted an "irrational" approach to Russia.

"Whoever the next president is, [the new US president] will have a new policy towards Russia and hopefully it will be one that is much more aimed at cooperation rather than trying to be confrontational and standoffish," the politician said.

While the US Congress becomes increasingly critical of Russia's policies and Vladimir Putin, in particular, Rohrabacher remains the only person who calls for cooperation between the countries and moderate approach.

According to him, both Russia and the United States need to "take a deep breath and a step back," German newspaper Das Bild quoted him as saying.

Rohrabacher repeatedly stated that Washington politicians do not have a proper understanding of Russia and treat Moscow unfairly. Instead of starting a new Cold War, Russia and the United States should focus on the fight against Islamic extremists and abandon hostility.

Meanwhile, his colleagues in the US Congress have repeatedly criticized the politician for his statements. They claim that he not only advocates peace, but also acts in favor Russia's interests, Bild concluded.