Russia: US increases military presence in Central Asia
The Russian Defense Minister, Sergey Shoigu, in his speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers Meeting held in New Delhi, capital of India, stated that there are changes in the world towards the creation of a multipolar order, and expressed that the West is opposed to this.
Defending that the United States and its allies have seriously eroded the global security architecture by trying to maintain their global dominance, Shoigu said: “They have started the process of tearing up and liquidating key agreements on arms control and building trust.”
Stating that “the West is exerting great pressure and blackmailing independent states, supporting color revolutions, spreading false information,” Shoigu said this increases the risks of taking regional crises to the level of conflict.
Shoigu said: “Today, Washington and its supporters are realizing their strategic intent to fight countries that are not right for them, especially Russia and China. An example of this is the issue of Ukraine. The main goal of this issue is to strategically defeat Russia, pose a threat to China, and maintain its monopoly position in the world.
MILITARY ALLIANCES TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ASIA-PACIFIC
Noting that NATO countries are sending weapons to Ukraine, Shoigu said that this prolongs conflicts and destabilizes Europe. Shoigu said: “For Russia, there is no other option than to eliminate threats emanating from the territory of Ukraine by military means. “Our objectives are clear and the special military operation (in Ukraine) will continue to the end,” he said.
Assessing the West’s actions in the Asia-Pacific region, Shoigu noted that military alliances have been established in this region, such as the Quadruple Security Dialogue, known as the “Quad”, and AUKUS, made up of the US, Australia, India and Japan.
Recalling that NATO troops, especially those of the United States, had previously withdrawn from Afghanistan, Shoigu said: “The United States and its allies are trying to re-establish their military presence in Central Asia under the name of ‘fighting terrorism.’ “. Shoigu claimed that Russian military bases in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have increased the level of war-readiness against possible threats.
Underlining that they support the establishment of an equal and indivisible security system in the world, the continuation of the central role of the United Nations (UN), adherence to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of protection of peace and stability, Shoigu noted that the role of the SCO should be strengthened in this regard. (AA)