Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, during his speech at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, expressed concerns about the Western alliance's intentions to extend the ongoing European conflict into the Asia-Pacific region.
Shoigu argued that the West, which he accused of having instigated the crisis in Europe, is now contemplating expanding its influence in several directions in Asia. This, he asserted, could potentially involve the direct participation of nuclear-armed states, heightening the strategic risks associated with the conflict.
Shoigu highlighted the Western pursuit of deploying its military forces in the region under the pretext of forming a "joint Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security alliance." This move, he contended, would serve as a justification for establishing NATO military bases in Asia.
He emphasized that such actions fundamentally undermine the principle of unified security, a concept championed by Russia and China and referred to by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "community with a shared future."
The U.S.approved the sale of military equipment worth $440 million to Taiwan
Russia and China's growing cooperation is gaining traction on the global stage, with Shoigu pointing out that an increasing number of countries find their approach appealing.
These nations, he noted, are increasingly resistant to becoming embroiled in the confrontational agenda pushed by the Western collective. The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed escalating tensions in recent times, with the conflict over Taiwan serving as a major source of contention between the United States and China.
The Chinese government asserts sovereignty over Taiwan and has conducted numerous military exercises in the area. In response, the U.S. approved the sale of military equipment worth $440 million to Taiwan, a move strongly condemned by Beijing.
Furthermore, the Korean Peninsula has emerged as another potential flashpoint in the region, with North Korea conducting missile tests in response to joint military exercises involving South Korea and the United States. These developments underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, which now attracts the attention of major global powers like never before.