Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu has warned that nuclear weapons could eventually be deployed in Australia as a result of its participation in the AUKUS security partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom.
Speaking at a security consultation meeting held during an international forum in the Moscow region, Shoigu stated that the United States is expanding its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening alliances through newly formed defense blocs such as AUKUS.
He claimed that Washington is enhancing the military capabilities of its regional partners and relying heavily on allied nations to extend its strategic influence in the area.
Shoigu further alleged that Japan and South Korea are preparing to host US nuclear weapons, which he said would significantly increase tensions and negatively affect regional security stability. He also suggested that similar deployments could eventually extend to Australia.
Additionally, he criticized the United States for rejecting Russian proposals aimed at preserving parts of the New START arms control framework, which previously limited deployed strategic nuclear weapons between Russia and the US.
Shoigu warned that Washington is pursuing greater nuclear flexibility, including the potential expansion of its arsenal and resumption of nuclear testing, which he said undermines global arms control efforts.
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