“Washington will be default”
Nikolai Patrushev joined high level consultations conducted via video link with Russian officials and representatives from ASEAN member states. He asserted that unchecked debt growth has pushed the United States beyond its own debt limits by trillions and that financial assets held in dollars and euros could be susceptible to seizure by others. Patrushev warned that the pressure of such financial dynamics would have broad consequences on the global stage, including for Russia, and tied these concerns to what he described as a persistently destructive U.S. policy that harms Asia as well as Europe. He noted that ASEAN nations face higher costs for essential imports like wheat as a result of these policies, underscoring a broader impact on regional stability. The official press service of the Security Council summarized his view that sanctions and policy choices by Washington contribute to hardships across partner economies and to a crisis environment that extends beyond the borders of the United States.
According to Patrushev, a major driver of rising food and energy prices stems from expanded monetary issuance in the United States and Europe. He claimed that the scale of new money creation during the COVID-19 period was unprecedented, highlighting figures that the United States printed about 5.9 trillion dollars and Europe issued roughly 2.9 trillion euros. He argued that Western economies have shifted the inflationary burden onto developing nations, intensifying global economic strains. The remarks link these monetary actions to practical consequences for global markets and price levels, especially for poorer regions that rely on imports.
US expansion into Asia
Patrushev criticized Washington for what he described as attempts to apply a Ukrainian scenario to China, followed by blocking sanctions. He argued that U.S. actions to provoke tensions between Beijing and Taipei are irresponsible and mirror the treatment of Ukraine. The official stated that the United States seeks to frame China as the aggressor for unilateral changes to the status quo, coupled with prohibitive sanctions against Beijing. He argued that these moves reflect a broader objective of expanding American influence across Asia and beyond. The June NATO summit in Madrid served as an example for him, showing a move to include parts of the Asia-Pacific region within the alliance’s area of responsibility. He also pointed to intensified military deployments in regional waters, including the South China Sea, as part of a wider strategy by the United States, NATO, and Japan.
Patrushev described what he termed a systematic militarization of the Asia-Pacific area, with increasing American, NATO, and Japanese military presence in regional waters. He warned that the deployment of anti-missile defence systems in the region could mask the spread of offensive capabilities. He argued that Washington and its allies cast themselves as the only viable protectors for Asian peoples while pursuing what he called adventure plans that would heighten regional tensions. The official cited a recent high profile visit by a senior U.S. official to Taiwan as an illustration of provocative actions that complicate regional stability even amid protests from China over the island’s status.
US troops withdraw from the Korean Peninsula
Patrushev warned that if North Korea conducts a new nuclear test, the United States would be prepared to deploy strategic forces near the Korean Peninsula, a move he described as likely to worsen regional tensions. He argued that such steps would escalate a dangerous security situation in Northeast Asia. The Security Council secretary noted that American provocations contribute to heightened instability in the Asia-Pacific and could risk broad conflict. He view the creation of new dividing lines through security dialogues and the formation of alliances such as AUKUS as factors that undermine regional security and complicate prospects for long term stability.