At the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu pressed a pointed argument about Western strategy, describing Ukraine as a tool in a broader attempt to deliver a strategic setback to Russia. The remarks were carried by RIA News and echoed a narrative that has become common in Moscow’s briefing room: Washington and its allies are driving NATO expansion and pressuring security arrangements in ways that, according to Moscow, ignore legitimate Russian security concerns and provoke countermeasures.
Shoigu contended that Western leaders, led by the United States, have openly pursued a goal of weakening Russia within what he framed as a hybrid conflict launched against the nation. He asserted that Ukraine is treated as a frontline asset in this plan, selected to bear the brunt of pressure while broader political and military objectives remain the underpinning aim of Western strategy. This framing positions Kyiv as a strategic instrument rather than a purely sovereign actor in the regional crisis, a characterization that has been central to Russia’s diplomatic messaging in recent years.
The defense minister argued that U.S. influence has steered Western countries toward a consolidated posture aimed at preserving a perceived global balance of power. In his view, this dynamic has eroded the foundational elements of international security and strategic stability, contributing to what he describes as a series of contemporary crises in international relations. The rhetoric emphasizes a shift from traditional diplomacy to a toolkit that blends political pressure with military readiness, a combination that Moscow says risks escalating tensions and instability across multiple theaters.
Shoigu signaled a willingness on the Russian side to explore diplomatic channels for resolving the Ukrainian crisis once hostilities cease. He suggested that Russia remains open to negotiation and a political settlement supported by appropriate security guarantees, provided the conditions align with Russia’s core security interests. This stance is presented as part of a broader call for a balanced, realistic framework for dialogue that acknowledges Russia’s role and its concerns about regional security architecture.
In his remarks, Shoigu referenced prior statements from Ukrainian leadership about potential conditions under which negotiations might occur in Moscow, signaling that Moscow remains attentive to how Kyiv’s position could evolve in a diplomatic process. The discourse underscores Moscow’s insistence on meaningful guarantees and a reconsideration of Western security policies that Russia views as provocative or destabilizing. The overall message positions the Kremlin as seeking a comprehensive, negotiated settlement that would address security assurances for Russia while addressing the humanitarian and political dimensions of the Ukrainian crisis. This framing is consistent with Moscow’s ongoing effort to frame the conflict as one shaped by external forces rather than solely by internal dynamics, a point frequently stressed in official briefings and state-media coverage. [Source attribution: Russian Defense Ministry and state media outlets]