Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said in today’s Pentagon briefing that the military is focused on humanitarian efforts only with respect to the Georgia-Russia conflict.  Secretary Gates also said that he sees “no prospect of using ” [United States] “military force” in the conflict.  Gates, later qualified his statement by saying that the statement was given in the context of the “current” situation.  He emphasized that the U.S. has spent thirty-five years avoiding a military confrontation with Russia and does not see a reason to change that approach today. 

Secretary Gates also said that the Russians “saw an opportunity and they seized it.”  Georgia responded to Russian provocations and now Russia is using the situation to expand their territory and influence.  The Secretary then said ”there must be some consequences for Russia’s action taken against a sovereign state.”  When asked why he thought that Russia has engaged in this way, Gates said that Russia is ”attempting to re-assert its national status in a negative way.” 

Saying that Russia is already facing some consequences as a result of its ”punitive mission,”  Secretary Gates, was certain in his position.  He elaborated further that “all nations are looking at Russia through a different lense.”  Gates opined that U.S.-Russia relations will suffer tremendously for years to come as a result of Russia’s actions.