The deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in Southeast Asia would increase risks to regional security, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday in Kuala Lumpur after his visit to Malaysia.
According to Russian media, Lavrov stated that the United States has long shared nuclear weapons with its NATO partners in what he calls “joint nuclear missions,” in which non-nuclear states can train their soldiers to use nuclear weapons. This practice is now being transferred to Asia.
“If this sad and rather risky experience (the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in other countries) is taken to Southeast Asia, I think no one will benefit; the risks will increase,” he said.
The United States is “shamelessly” introducing its military infrastructure, including strategic weapons, into the region, militarizing Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, Lavrov said.
He mentioned AUKUS, a nuclear-powered submarine construction project involving the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
AUKUS aims to instill “tolerance in the Asian region regarding the deployment of nuclear weapons components,” Lavrov said. It must be “placed under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency” for “full transparency,” he said.
Lavrov also said that the recent agreement between the United States and the Republic of Korea on joint nuclear planning is yet another extension of U.S. strategic influence in the region.
The deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in Southeast Asia would increase risks to regional security, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday in Kuala Lumpur after his visit to Malaysia.
According to Russian media, Lavrov stated that the United States has long shared nuclear weapons with its NATO partners in what he calls “joint nuclear missions,” in which non-nuclear states can train their soldiers to use nuclear weapons. This practice is now being transferred to Asia.
“If this sad and rather risky experience (the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in other countries) is taken to Southeast Asia, I think no one will benefit; the risks will increase,” he said.
The United States is “shamelessly” introducing its military infrastructure, including strategic weapons, into the region, militarizing Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, Lavrov said.
He mentioned AUKUS, a nuclear-powered submarine construction project involving the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
AUKUS aims to instill “tolerance in the Asian region regarding the deployment of nuclear weapons components,” Lavrov said. It must be “placed under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency” for “full transparency,” he said.
Lavrov also said that the recent agreement between the United States and the Republic of Korea on joint nuclear planning is yet another extension of U.S. strategic influence in the region.
