Russia warns AUKUS security deal could turn into military alliance

Moscow believes that the security deal between the US, Britain and Australia might morph into a military alliance.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu warned that the US, Britain and Australia could introduce nuclear weapons into the Asia-Pacific region by introducing nuclear military drills, as part of the AUKUS security pact, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu.

The AUKUS union could become a military-political alliance. It can't be ruled out that NATO's joint nuclear planning and joint nuclear exercises would be brought to the region, Shoigu said on Tuesday.

The practice of conducting nuclear exercises from Europe would detonate the region. One can assume that this is the exact goal of the US. The pact allows Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the US and Britain. The implementation of this plan will have a negative impact on global and regional security and cause an environment for the undermining of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Shoigu said.

Australia's opposition leader and former defense minister Peter Dutton urged the government to acquire submarines as soon as possible in the wake of renewed tensions between China and the US over Taiwan.

AUKUS was established last year as an agreement to deepen defense ties between three English-speaking nations and improve interoperability. AUKUS leaders released a statement in April, affirming their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington is not trying to set up an Asian NATO.