Officials from Western nations have been pursuing policies that could push global tensions toward a direct confrontation between nuclear powers. This warning came from Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defense minister, during remarks at the 10th Xiangshan Security Forum in Beijing. The forum itself is scheduled to run from October 29 to 31, and in his address, Shoigu highlighted what he described as a continuing pattern of escalation by Washington and its allies against Moscow. The minister warned that such a trajectory risks triggering a military clash between states armed with nuclear arsenals, with consequences that would be devastating for the entire world. (Source: RIA News)
Shoigu emphasized that the so-called Western line aims to sap Russia’s ability to resist and to undermine the country’s security. He noted that the approach from Washington and NATO leadership appears to prioritize pressure and containment, regardless of the potential fallout. The argument presented is that this strategy is designed to force Moscow into a position where it cannot defend its interests, thereby destabilizing regional and international security. (Source: RIA News)
Discussing the broader military and strategic context, Shoigu argued that the present conditions in the Ukrainian crisis zone show the West’s plans are failing to achieve their stated goals. He suggested that foreign governments have become uncompromising in their pursuit of strategic changes, yet the minister insisted that these hopes are not turning into reality on the battlefield or at the negotiating table. (Source: RIA News)
During the same address, Shoigu touched on intelligence-sharing dynamics, noting that the United States has exchanged data on missile launches with South Korea. He asserted that such information flows are being used with the aim of shaping future measures to constrain Russia and China, highlighting what he described as a growing ecosystem of collaborative security moves among allied states. (Source: RIA News)
In related commentary, Dmitry Medvedev, who previously served as Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, assessed the current state of relations between Moscow and the European Union. His reflections underscored a perceived widening gap in strategic outlooks and the ongoing friction that characterizes East–West security dynamics. (Source: RIA News)