5 months ago
23
NEW DELHI: In an address in
Vietnam
, Russian President Vladimir
Putin
warned of growing
security threats
in the Asia-Pacific region due to
Nato
's increasing focus on the area. Speaking a day after signing a strategic partnership treaty with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Putin highlighted the need for a “reliable security architecture” in the region.
Following discussions with Vietnamese counterpart To Lam, Putin emphasized the mutual interest in creating a security framework that avoids the use of force and seeks peaceful dispute resolutions.
He noted that Russia and Vietnam share similar views on
regional security
issues.
"The positions of Russia and Vietnam on these issues largely coincide or are close to each other," Putin stated.
During a press conference, Putin underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation with regional partners in response to global developments. He pointed out that Nato's movement into
Asia
represents a significant threat to all regional countries, including Russia, a Russia Today report said.
"We see what’s happening in Asia, right? A block system is being put together… Nato is already moving there as if to a permanent place of residence. This, of course, poses a threat to all countries in the region, including the Russian Federation. We are obliged to respond to this and we will do so," he insisted.
Putin also mentioned Russia's right to provide arms to its allies, potentially including long-range weapons to North Korea and other nations, in response to Western arms supplies to Ukraine.
In 2021, the US, UK, and Australia formed the AUKUS security partnership, aimed at helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines. This move has been criticized by Beijing as an attempt to establish an "Asia-Pacific version of Nato," fostering an arms race and undermining regional stability.
China's Foreign Ministry has repeatedly condemned Nato's activities in the region, calling it a "walking war machine" and a "terrible monster" that disrupts regional peace.
