The United States imposes the creation of structures similar to NATO on the states of Southeast Asia, while long-term hotbeds of tension are formed in the area of responsibility of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). This was stated on July 28 by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during a meeting of the heads of defense ministries of the SCO member states.
According to him, it is difficult to predict the scenario of events in the emerging hotbeds of tension.
"Aggressive economic pressure, all kinds of sanctions, provoking conflicts, conducting disinformation campaigns of the population have become characteristic methods of achieving goals," Shoigu said.
"Washington is imposing the creation of structures similar to NATO on the states of Southeast Asia," the head of the Russian Defense Ministry stressed. As an example, he cited the formation of advanced high-readiness groups, the involvement of forces and means of non-regional countries in the exercises.
"A large — scale deployment of the missile defense system and its coupling with strike means is being carried out," Shoigu added.
As he recalled, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has repeatedly pointed out the destabilizing role of the US missile defense and its orientation against Russia and China. With the termination of the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles, these weapons can also be deployed in Asia.
Earlier in the day, Shoigu announced the failure of the United States mission in Afghanistan. According to him, the situation in the country is almost out of control of the official Kabul. The Russian 201st military base will provide military assistance to Tajikistan if the security of this country is under threat, he noted.
On July 24, US President Joe Biden and Afghan leader Ashraf Ghani agreed that the Taliban offensive contradicts the movement's declared support for a political settlement in the country. The leaders expressed regret over the death of Afghans, looting, arson of buildings and destruction of infrastructure.
The United States is currently withdrawing its military from Afghanistan, which has been in the country since 2001. The withdrawal of troops began in early May, it is planned to complete it by the end of August. Washington will leave about 1 thousand military personnel in Kabul to protect diplomats and the airport.
