Top US military intelligence official says Russian military poses an ‘existential threat’ to the US

“The Russian military is an existential threat to the United States,” Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing about worldwide threats. Berrier said the country’s military is being used to maintain influence over states “along its periphery, compete with US global primacy and compel adversaries who challenge Russia’s vital national interests.” “Moscow continues to invest in its strategic nuclear forces, in new capabilities to enhance its strategic deterrent, and that places the US homeland at risk,” Berrier said.Berrier’s comments come as tensions between Russia and the US remain high. The US unveiled sanctions against Moscow earlier this month over its interference in the 2020 US presidential election, the SolarWinds cyberattack and its ongoing occupation and “severe human rights abuses” in Crimea. President Joe Biden told a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night that Russia’s “actions will have consequences if they turn out to be true, and they turned out to be true,” referring to Moscow’s interference in the election and the SolarWinds cyberattack. “So I responded directly and proportionately to Russia’s interference in our elections and cyberattacks on our government and our businesses — they did both of these things, and I told them we would respond, and we have. But we can also cooperate when it’s in our mutual interests,” Biden said.The White House is hammering out the details of a possible European summit between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could happen as soon as early summer, according to sources familiar with the planning. Tensions high but a summit could take placeRussia has not yet responded officially to the United States’ offer of a summit, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday.”We are still looking into this proposal and analyzing the situation,” Peskov said. “Each time Washington’s words about the summit meeting are accompanied by words about the need for Russia to pay some kind of price and about inevitable sanctions. So of course, deep analysis is required here.”Russia appeared to be pulling back from a possible confrontation with the West last week as Russian state media reported that troops were returning to their bases after taking part in exercises near the border with Ukraine and in Crimea.A buildup of Russian troops along the border in recent weeks had reignited tensions in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have battled Russian-backed separatists demanding independence from Kiev since 2014.”At present, military units and formations are marching to railway stations, airfields, loading onto landing ships, railway platforms and military transport aircraft,” Tass reported on April 23, citing the Ministry of Defense.Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s announcement came weeks after Moscow initiated the largest buildup of troops near the Ukrainian border since 2014. It was unclear from the announcement how many troops would remain in the region.Berrier emphasized that the Russian military’s power comes from its investment into and development of nuclear weapons as well as its “conventional force largely postured for defensive and regional operations.” “Russia has a growing ability to project power with long-range precision cruise missiles and limited expeditionary capabilities,” he added. Berrier pointed out that Russian military leaders are “incorporating lessons from Russia’s involvement in Syria into training and exercises.” When questioned by Sen. Deb Fischer, a Nebraska Republican, about Russia’s nuclear warhead development, Berrier confirmed Defense Intelligence Agency assessments from 2018 that stated Russia is updating its nuclear warhead production complex and is producing “hundreds of nuclear warheads each year,” saying those assessments are still valid.Berrier also confirmed that while the US is adhering to the nuclear testing moratorium, Russia is not. “The United States believes that Russia probably is not adhering to the nuclear testing moratorium in the manner consistent with the yield, or with the zero yield standard. The United States, by contrast, is upholding a zero yield standard, end quote,” Fischer said. “Does that still remain DIA’s assessment?””It does, Senator,” Berrier said.CNN’s Barbara Starr, DJ Judd and Natasha Bertrand contributed to this report.