Europe is the key region for the protection of US national interests, said the general, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations Curtis Scaparrotti, reports Voice of America.

According to him, many countries in the world today face an unstable situation in both political and economic spheres. This instability is exacerbated by the fact that Russia is turning from a partner into an enemy. "Countries along Russia’s periphery, including Ukraine and Georgia, struggle against Moscow’s malign activities and military actions,” said the general.

“In the southeast, the strategic drivers of instability converge on key allies, especially Turkey,” which must overcome the challenges that stem from Russia and terrorists, coupled with the challenge of refugee flows.

The general outlined three main issues, which he considers as the most serious – fist is Russia, the second is radicals and extremists, and the third is the regional instability, which has been created by the flows of refugees.

Scaparrotti emphasized, that Moscow wants to restore the status of a global power and considers that such international norms, such as the rule of law, democracy and human rights, impede the realization of its purpose.