U.S. eyes more stable, predictable ties with Russia, Blinken tells paper

[June 29, 2021]    (Reuters) - The United States hopes for more stable and predictable relations with Russia but if the latter continues take reckless or aggressive actions, Washington will respond, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday.

 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken boards his plane at Ciampino Airport in Rome, Italy June 28, 2021. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS

"If Russia is going to continue to take reckless or aggressive actions, we'll respond — not for purposes of conflict, not to escalate, but because we will defend our interests and values," he told Italian daily La Repubblica.

He was referring to cyberattacks and the role of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

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