MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Carter was speaking Saturday at the Asian security summit in Singapore, entitled "IISS Shangri-La Dialogue," which was attended by senior military and security officials from across the region.
"Russia is also a Pacific power, and can play a role in the Asia-Pacific," Carter said in his speech circulated by the Pentagon on Sunday. "With respect to their contribution in this region, I think in principle they could do a lot more."
He stressed that although Washington had differences with Moscow on Europe and the Middle East, they had both "stood strong" with China, Korea and Japan on North Korea’s nuclear and missile program.
"To try to use its influence in a constructive way. Where it uses its influence in that way we're very pleased to work with Russia. So I think the potential's there. It hasn't been realized yet, but the answer to your question can Russia be part of the principled security network of Asia, yes I certainly hope it would be," Carter told reporters.
Carter said that a security network spanning the entire Asia-Pacific was already growing, in addition to an ASEAN-centric network that includes Southeast Asian Nations. He stressed Washington was fully committed to this principled security network, which represents the next wave in Asia-Pacific security.
