Russia concerned about US policies in Asia-Pacific: Official
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov has voiced concerns about instability in the Asia-Pacific region, describing the US policies as the main destabilizing factor in the region.
"We are concerned by US policies in the region, especially since every day it becomes increasingly focused on a systemic containment of Russia and China," Antonov said during the 14th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit: the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday.
He further noted that Russia will participate in South China Sea counterterrorism military exercises, which will be held in May 2016, together with its partners in the Asia-Pacific.
Relations between Washington and Moscow have been strained over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
The US and its allies accuse Moscow of sending troops into eastern Ukraine in support of pro-Russia forces fighting against Kiev. Moscow has long denied involvement in the crisis.
Tensions have also been rising between Washington and Beijing over China’s activities in the South China Sea and US surveillance flights over the sea.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the whole of the South China Sea, which is also claimed in part by Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Russia has condemned US-led NATO’s exercises and military buildup towards its borders on numerous occasions.
"Despite our concerns about the US global missile defense architecture, they continue a policy of disrupting strategic stability, adding a regional segment of an anti-missile shield in the Asia-Pacific," Antonov stated at the meeting.
The Russian official also slammed the US interference in other countries’ internal affairs.
As an example of the US intervention, Antonov referred to Vietnam, which has come under US pressure in order not to carry out the maintenance of long-range Russian aircraft in its airports.
"The objective is to reduce the possibility of using foreign airfields and ports by the Russian Navy and Air Force," he said.
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