Russia wants more military exercises in Asia

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ASTANA: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the meeting of defense ministers in the Shanghai Group on Friday.

Photo: The Russian Ministry of Defence, AP, NTB

Defense Minister Sergej Shojgu accuses the US of trying to increase its influence in Asia.

Defense Minister Sergej Shoigu is asking allied countries to participate in several joint military exercises with Russia in the face of what he believes is a direct threat from the United States.

The Russian defense minister made the statement when he attended a meeting of the Shanghai Group (SCO) in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana on Friday.

The SCO consists of India, China, Iran and Pakistan, as well as the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

At the meeting, Shojgu accused the US of trying to increase its influence in the region.

– I believe that everyone present shares the opinion that it is unacceptable for the US and its allies to deploy military infrastructure in the region, he said.

– Such intentions must be considered a direct threat to the stability of the SCO’s sphere, he added.