U.S. Secretary of Defence James Mattis on Thursday said the U.S. is not in a position right now to cooperate on military with Russia at a press conference following the NATO defense ministers meeting.

Talking about relations with Russia, he said, "We are not in a position right now to collaborate on the military level, but our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground."

Mattis, who has ever served as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation, attended his first NATO defence ministers meeting Wednesday.

He stated the U.S. commitment to the transatlantic bond ahead of the meeting, saying that, "The Alliance remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and the trans-Atlantic community, bonded as we are together."

He also reiterated Trump's demand that fair burden-sharing among Allies. "America will meet its responsibilities, but if your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this Alliance, each of your capitals needs to show support for our common defense," Mattis told his NATO counterparts.

source: Xinhua