Washington’s policy in Asia Pacific region aimed to deter Russia, China - Defense Ministry

SINGAPORE, May 30. /TASS/. Moscow is concerned over the policy of the United States in the Asia Pacific Region (APR), aimed at deterring Russia and China, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Friday. "We are concerned over the US policy in the region, all the more so as with each day it becomes more and more aimed at systemic ‘deterrence’ of Russia and China," Antonov said at the 14th international conference on security in Asia, Shangri-La Dialogue. The deputy minister underscored that Washington exerts open pressure on APR countries, "which are told to fold interaction with us, including in the naval sphere." "The task is to cut opportunities of using foreign airfields and ports by Russia’s navy and Air Force. The recent example is US pressure on Vietnam designed to prevent servicing of Russian long-range aviation aircraft in Vietnamese airports," he said. Antonov said "the leading countries should pursue a responsible policy" regarding the Asia-Pacific region. "It is necessary to understand that ‘U-turns’, saber-rattling, military buildup, policy of pressure, intimidation and ‘deterrence’, or information aggression will not solve our problems but will on the contrary aggravate the situation, sow seeds of distrust, push the countries to an arms race," he warned. Read more