U.S. Commander in Europe Says Russia Is a 'Chronic Threat' to World

Russia poses "a chronic threat" to the world and further aid to Ukraine to repulse the Russian invasion of that country is crucial, said Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the commander of U.S. European Command.

Cavoli, who also serves as NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, testified before the House Armed Services Committee today.

"We're facing challenging times, to say the least, in the European theater," Cavoli told the representatives. "Russia's brutal, unprovoked war has ravaged Ukraine for over two years. [Russian] forces are demolishing cities and are destroying innocent lives on a scale we have not seen since the Second World War."

Also of concern is Russia's dependence on China, Iran and North Korea to sustain its campaign in Ukraine, he said. "These countries are forming interlocking, strategic partnerships in an attempt to challenge the existing order," the general said. "This is profoundly inimical to U.S. national interests."