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MOSCOW / AP
The Kremlin refrained from comment Tuesday on the appointment of the new U.S. national security adviser, but one lawmaker said he was likely to take a hawkish stance toward Russia.
Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster was named to the job Monday by President Donald Trump to replace retired Gen. Michael Flynn. Trump fired Flynn last week after it was determined that Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence about the nature of his discussions with Russia’s ambassador to the US during the presidential transition.
Asked about how the Kremlin views the appointment, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he wouldn’t comment on what is Trump’s prerogative to make an appointment. Peskov said in a conference call with reporters that “it’s important to us how our relations will develop and what attitude Washington will take.”
“We are patiently following our American partners determining their stance,” he added.
Trump’s praise for Putin and his campaign promises to improve US ties with Russia have raised expectations of a thaw between the two countries.