Kremlin calls new US security strategy 'imperialist'

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

The Kremlin on Tuesday called the new U.S. national security strategy imperialist but welcomed some of its positive aspects.

"A brief reading of [the strategy], especially those parts in which our country is mentioned, in one way or another [shows that] the imperial nature of the document," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to Russia's official news agency TASS.

Peskov added that the strategy included positive aspect like readiness to cooperate with Russia in the areas that meet American interests.

Moscow also looked for such a cooperation with Washington, he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday revealed the first national security strategy, placing a strong emphasis on "America first" in a move mirroring his campaign rhetoric.

The strategy focuses on four main pillars: protecting the homeland, the American people, and American way of life; promoting American prosperity; preserving peace through strength and advancing American influence.

The strategy classified Russia as "revisionist powers" citing their use of "technology, propaganda, and coercion to shape a world antithetical to our interests and values".

However, Trump in his speech said Washington was seeking a "great partnership" with Moscow, in an approach which was viewed as softer than the full text of the strategy released earlier.

He cited recent intelligence sharing that thwarted a terrorist attack in St. Petersburg, Russia, and which drew praise from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Peskov said there was "unwillingness" on the American part to abandon the unipolar approach to the world and rejected the claims that Russia was a threat to U.S. interests.