Defense secretary warns Russia to stay out of U.S. elections

OXFORD, England — Defense Secretary Ash Carter lashed out at Russia on Wednesday, accusing the government of President Vladimir Putin of demonstrating a “clear ambition to erode” international order and warning Russia to stay out of the U.S. elections.

Speaking on Wednesday at Oxford University in England, Carter used language that evoked a time before the fall of the Berlin War, when leaders in Washington and Moscow were entrenched global adversaries.

“The United States does not seek a cold, let alone a hot war, with Russia,” Carter said. “But make no mistake, we will defend our allies, the principled international order, and the positive future it affords all of us.”

He also warned Moscow that Washington “will not ignore attempts to interfere with our democratic processes,” a clear reference to the FBI investigation into allegations Russia hacked into computer systems of the Democratic National Committee. Carter accused Russia of “undercutting the work and contributions of others rather than creating or making any positive contributions on its own,” and said Moscow was sowing “instability rather than cultivating stability.”

His criticism amplifies the already tense standoff between Washington and Moscow over conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, the hacking issue and the role of NATO, which is on Russia’s doorstep.

U.S. officials said there is evidence Russian intelligence agencies were behind breaches of the DNC’s computer systems and the Russians tried to gain access to other servers.