The NATO military alliance is said to be expanding into Asia. This happened when the military pact of Western countries was in conflict with Russia due to the war in Ukraine.
NATO will reportedly expand its influence in Asia to gain an edge in dealing with several regional powers that tend to disagree with United States (US) foreign policy. It is known that Russia, North Korea (North Korea) and China are Washington’s rivals in this region.
General Viktor Sobolev, a member of the Russian Communist Party, said the US-led military bloc could include Japan and South Korea in the medium term. According to him, the two countries will be involved in playing a bigger role for Washington in the region.
“Of course, this cannot happen in the next two to three years, but such an outcome is possible within five years. Our political and military leadership must take this very seriously, this is a real and very real threat ,” he said, as quoted by the Russian Telegram channel Taynaya Kantselyaria and reported by Russia Today , Tuesday (26/9/2023).
Sobolev’s comments came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated earlier this month that NATO was seeking to base its troops and military infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific in an effort to deter regional powers.
Meanwhile, in August, Russian President Vladimir Putin predicted that NATO could eventually join AUKUS, a regional security pact first announced by Australia, the UK and the US in 2021.
As part of this project, Australia will purchase its first nuclear-powered submarine, which is scheduled to enter service in the early 2030s.
Commenting on the possible integration of the two blocs, Putin said at the time that the US was seeking to “reformat the system of interaction between countries that has developed in the Asia-Pacific region.”
On the other hand, NATO also reportedly intends to open an office in Japan. This was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Yoshimasa Hayashi.
As part of this project, Australia will purchase its first nuclear-powered submarine, which is scheduled to enter service in the early 2030s.
Commenting on the possible integration of the two blocs, Putin said at the time that the US was seeking to “reformat the system of interaction between countries that has developed in the Asia-Pacific region.”
On the other hand, NATO also reportedly intends to open an office in Japan. This was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Yoshimasa Hayashi.
Hayashi called Russia’s attack on Ukraine last year an event that had ramifications far beyond Europe’s borders, forcing Japan to rethink regional security.
Source : CNBC
