Russian FM warns around deployment of US nuclear weapons in Southeast Asia
Date
7/28/2024 9:58:59 AM
(MENAFN) During a visit to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued a stark warning about the potential deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the heightened security risks such a move would pose. Lavrov's comments followed his recent visit to Malaysia and were reported by Russian media.
Lavrov highlighted the United States' longstanding practice of sharing nuclear weapons with NATO partners through "joint nuclear missions," which involve training soldiers from non-nuclear states to use these weapons. He expressed concern that this practice is now being extended to Asia, a development he described as both sad and risky.
"If this sad and rather risky experience (the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in other countries) is brought to Southeast Asia, I think no one will benefit from it; the risks will increase," Lavrov stated. He criticized the United States for what he termed as "impudently" pushing its military infrastructure, including strategic weapons, into the region, thereby militarizing Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific area.
Lavrov specifically mentioned the AUKUS project, an initiative involving the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia to build nuclear-powered submarines. He argued that AUKUS aims to instill "tolerance in the Asian region concerning the deployment of nuclear weapons components" and insisted that it "must be put under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency" to ensure "full transparency."
Additionally, Lavrov pointed to the recent agreement between the United States and South Korea on joint nuclear planning as another example of the U.S. extending its strategic influence in the region. He underscored the potential dangers of these developments, suggesting they would escalate regional tensions and security risks rather than promote stability.
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