Defense Secretary James Mattis harshly criticized Vladimir Putin in an interview Saturday, calling the Russian president a “slow learner,” adding relations with the country have worsened under the Trump administration.

Speaking with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Mattis addressed recent tensions between the U.S. and Russia in light of the conflict in Ukraine.

“This is a very complex situation because Mr. Putin is clearly a slow learner,” Mattis said. “He is not recognizing that what he is doing is actually creating the animosity against his people. He is not acting in the best interest of the Russian people.”

Mattis added that Putin’s actions are bolstering NATO, causing the alliance to “re-arm.”

“We we are seeing Putin do, with his ripping up of international agreements. Violating in the Kerch Strait this last week, a joint statement, agreement between Ukraine and Russia,” he continued. “We are dealing with someone that we simply can’t trust.”

“Has the relationship worsened since you’ve been defense secretary?” asked Baier.

“There is no doubt the relationship has worsened,” Mattis replied. “He tried again to muck around in our elections this last month, and we are seeing a continued effort along those lines.”

Watch above, via Fox News.

from Mediaite https://ift.tt/2ADwtV2