Moscow Criticizes NATO's Expansion into Asia-Pacific Region
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed strong opposition to NATO's plans to engage in what it describes as "defensive operations" in the Asia-Pacific region. Speaking at the international symposium "Creating the Future" in Moscow, Lavrov accused Western nations, particularly Anglo-Saxon countries, of perpetually seeking to expand their influence, referencing NATO's recent summit where leaders reaffirmed the alliance's role not only in the Euro-Atlantic area but also in Asia. He highlighted that the NATO declaration suggests conducting defensive battles thousands of miles from its shores, particularly in sensitive areas like the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Lavrov characterized this as a "path to nowhere," arguing that the U.S. is deliberately increasing military infrastructure in the Pacific to heighten pressure on China, North Korea, and Russia.
In addition, Lavrov criticized the United States for attempting to undermine the ASEAN-centric security architecture in Southeast Asia, which has been built on mutual interests and consensus over decades. He noted that the U.S. and its allies are forming smaller alliances, such as AUKUS and QUAD, to replace the open mechanisms established around ASEAN, potentially destabilizing the region.
The Russian response comes in the wake of the 2024 NATO summit held in Washington, which emphasized the importance of the Indo-Pacific region for NATO and labeled Russia as a significant threat to member states' security. Moscow has repeatedly warned that NATO's activities in the Asia-Pacific are escalating tensions, particularly pointing to large-scale military exercises such as Keen Sword 25, which involve tens of thousands of troops from Japan and the U.S.
Analysts Weigh In on NATO's Strategy
Political analysts have weighed in on NATO's expansion and its implications for global power dynamics. They suggest that NATO's increased activity in the Asia-Pacific region reflects a response to the perceived decline of U.S. global hegemony, particularly in light of the rising influence of BRICS nations. Vladimir Shapovalov, a political scientist, noted that NATO's current military involvements are far removed from its original purpose of ensuring security in Western Europe and North America. Instead, the alliance is now engaged in conflicts worldwide, particularly aimed at countering China in the Asia-Pacific region.
Experts like Yuri Svetov and Alexei Podberezkin have pointed out that the U.S. views the Asia-Pacific as the next battleground for military operations, aiming to rally existing allies and attract new partners to counter Russia and China. They argue that NATO's ambitions have transformed it from a regional defense organization into a global military entity, driven by the U.S. desire to maintain its dominance in the military-political sphere, despite having little direct interest in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
