The United States, following the withdrawal of NATO contingents from Afghanistan, is trying to create its own logistical structures in a number of Central Asian countries for the subsequent deployment of its facilities and bases, which poses threats of increased instability in the region, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday at a meeting of the military heads of SCO member states.
"The hasty withdrawal of foreign contingents [from Afghanistan] has provoked an additional sharp spike in military and political tensions and a surge in hostilities. At the same time, the Americans are more concerned about the possibility of creating new transit routes and logistical structures in Central Asian states and the placement of their military bases and facilities," Shoigu said.
According to him, the Russian military is aware of such attempts. "We believe that this will not lead to anything good, but can only entail a long-term presence of the Alliance in the region and additional instability," the minister said.
In this context, he noted, "it is extremely important to hold constant consultations between our countries in order to prevent destabilizing processes from spilling over into the territories of the SCO states."
"We welcome any international initiatives to promote a political settlement of the Afghan conflict," Shoigu said.
Militant activity
Shoigu said the Russian Defense Ministry is taking measures to counter attempts to shift terrorist activity from Afghanistan to the Central Asian region.
"To this end, we are increasing the combat readiness of Russian military bases in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and strengthening their capacity to respond to crisis situations. We assist our allies and partners in Central Asia in modernizing national armed forces, equipping them with weapons and military equipment, and training personnel," Shoigu said.
"We assign an important role to the training of troops," the minister noted.
Situation on the borders of SCO countries
According to Shoigu, the situation on the perimeter of SCO countries' borders is complicated and tends to aggravate.
"International terrorism, extremism, separatism and cybercrime continue to threaten the peaceful development of member states and the well-being of our peoples," he said.
At the same time, he noted that "the situation is exacerbated by the pandemic, which has exacerbated international contradictions, traditional challenges and threats." "At this stage, of course, the situation in Afghanistan, which is actively involved in the SCO as an observer state, becomes particularly relevant," Shoigu said.
He expressed gratitude to Tajikistan's friends for their hospitality and warm welcome. "I know this region very well, and Tajikistan is close to me. Every time I come here, I remember the hard times of the early 1990s in this land," Shoigu said, noting that he has firsthand knowledge of the events of those years.
"When, in the chaos of the civil war, as Minister of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations, I had to deal with humanitarian issues, evacuate the Russian-speaking population, conduct difficult negotiations and even be held hostage by bandits," Shoigu said.
Regional stability
The minister expressed hope that through joint efforts, it would be possible to maintain peace and stability in the region.
"Our meeting is traditionally focused on security issues and takes place in the year of the 20th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Over the past period, the SCO has become an influential interstate association, playing an increasingly important role in international affairs. This is largely due to interaction between defense ministries of the organization member states and the level of mutual understanding and trust that has been achieved," Shoigu said.
He noted that the SCO member countries' assessments of the international situation and their approaches to regional stability and security issues largely coincide.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS