Moscow Declares that AUKUS Is Aimed at Russia, as Well as China

Sept. 21, 2021 (EIRNS)—Moscow sees AUKUS as being aimed against Russia as well as against China. In an interview with Argumenty i Fakty, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev described the Quad alliance, of the U.S., India, Australia, and Japan, as a “prototype of an Asian NATO,” reported TASS. “Washington will try to involve other countries in this organization, chiefly in order to pursue anti-China and anti-Russia policies,” Patrushev said.

“A short while ago, a new military bloc was formed in the region, the U.S.-U.K.-Australian AUKUS, which pursues the same goals. Remarkably, the Americans squeezed their French partners out, grabbing a profitable deal for construction of nuclear submarines for Canberra. Apparently, Atlantic solidarity has a price,” Patrushev remarked.

“For the sake of translating another White House’s venture into action, for the sake of strengthening control over the promising Asia-Pacific region, the entire security architecture in Asia is exposed to danger and prerequisites are being created to damage the prestige of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,” he said, referring to the 10-nation ASEAN group.