Russia says Aukus submarine pact will bring ‘years of confrontation’ in Asia
- Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov slammed the agreement between Australia, Britain and the US to supply Canberra with several nuclear-powered submarines
- The UN nuclear watchdog said it has to ensure that ‘no proliferation risks’ will come from the deal
“The Anglo-Saxon world, with the creation of structures like Aukus and with the advancement of Nato military infrastructures into Asia, is making a serious bet on many years of confrontation” in the region, Lavrov said in televised comments.
The Kremlin said that the Aukus agreement between Australia, Britain and the United States to supply Canberra with several nuclear-powered submarines would require international oversight.
“There are a lot of questions related to issues around non-proliferation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that “particular transparency will needed”.
Meanwhile, the UN nuclear watchdog on Tuesday said it has to ensure that “no proliferation risks” will come from the nuclear-powered submarine pact.
Australia on Monday announced it would buy up to five US nuclear-powered submarines, then build a new model with US and British technology under an ambitious plan to bulk up Western muscle across the Asia-Pacific in the face of a rising China.