'Being prepared prevents conflict': Trump orders Pentagon to bolster military readiness as Russia, China grow closer

Trump directs Pentagon To prepare for Military Restructuring

US President Donald Trump has instructed the Department of Defense to step up preparations to deter both Russia and China. Confirming the move, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth emphasized that the directive was not about seeking conflict but to “restore the warrior ethos," according to Fox News.

The order came shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un were seen together in Beijing, a development seen as symbolic of strengthening ties among Washington’s rivals.

“Unfortunately, the weakness of the previous administration has driven Russia and China closer together. That’s a terrible development of a lack of American leadership… That is why President Trump has charged us at the Department of Defense to be prepared to rebuild our military and re-establish deterrence. Not because we seek conflict and we’ve been clear about that with China, Russia and others," Hegseth stated.

“We’ve made that clear to China, Russia and other countries. It’s because being prepared prevents conflict,” said Hegseth.

Trump’s directive points to a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. military, aimed at boosting preparedness to face possible challenges from Moscow and Beijing.

At the same time, the president accused China, Russia, and North Korea of working in concert against the United States, as Chinese leader Xi Jinping oversaw a grand military parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.