"My reading is that the Russians have shifted from competition, which they think is the normal state of affairs, to confrontation," Work stated at the Norwegian-American Defense Conference.
Work, who helped inaugurate the ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) in Romania and break ground on a similar site in Poland last week, raised specific concerns about Moscow’s response to the finalization of the BMDS.
"The threats that were made against Romania and our Polish allies were just unbelievable. This is a sign of confrontation," Work said.
Russia has repeatedly opposed the missile defense systems, arguing the medium-range missiles could be redirected against Russia’s strategic deterrent.
Prior to the inauguration of the new systems, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Moscow reserves the right to respond with adequate military-technical measures to the NATO missile defense shield.
