Russian Def Min-US Trying To Remake Pacific Security System

State-run Interfax, RIA and Tass reporting comments from Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu speaking at a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers in Astana, Kazakhstan. Says that 'Russia has neither geopolitical nor military interests to attack NATO countries'. States that 'any US or allied placement of military infrastructure on territory of the SCO is unacceptable." Shoigu: 'Quad, AUKUS, and other US-led blocs [are attempting] to remake the security structure in the Pacific and make it America-focused'. Shoigu urges SCO members to 'expand the geography of military drills and their variety.'

• The SCO is not a formal defence pact like NATO, and given its membership includes India and Pakistan is never likely to be, Russia has long pressed for greater defence cooperation among its members to counter US military alliances with countries such as Japan and Australia.
• The SCO is becoming one of the major international geopolitical forums, alongside groups such as the BRICS, G7 and G20. With eight permanent members, including Russia, China, Iran, and India, and 16 observers/dialogue partners including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE, the bloc acts as a major non-US aligned talking shop.
• Coming amid the backdrop of Chinese President Xi Jinping holding talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (see 0947BST bullet), the defence ministers of China and Iran held a meeting on the sidelines of the SCO conference, highlighting theincreasingly closerelations between Beijing and Tehran.