Ex-NATO Chief: Stavridis: US-Russia Relations Deteriorating

The relationship between President Donald Trump's administration and Russia is souring as the White House is finding Vladimir Putin to be a "difficult partner" and his country "is not a force for good in the world," according to a former NATO commander.

"That relationship between the Trump administration and Russia is gradually going downhill, because I think the senior members of the Trump administration are beginning to realize that Russia is not a force for good in the world," retired Adm. James Stavridis told "The Cats Roundtable" on 970 AM-N.Y., per The Hill.

Stavridis, also an MSNBC national security and diplomacy analyst, called the U.S. airstrikes in Syria earlier this week an "appropriate use of force," sending a message to allies, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

"I think reality is setting in about how difficult a partner Vladimir Putin will be, and I think events in Syria have underlined that for the administration," Stavridis added to host John Catsimatidis, per The Hill.

• Ex-NATO Chief Stavridis: Ongoing Trump-Russia Controversy 'Encourages Putin'
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