Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu told reporters that alliances resembling NATO — and posing risks to Russia — are emerging with increasing frequency in the Asia-Pacific region.

He noted that various structures have begun to appear in the region, often described as «small geometries» or «small formats.» Shoigu said he would characterize them, perhaps somewhat bluntly, as «embryonic versions of NATO in the East." According to him, these groupings are gradually taking shape and evolving in a way that worsens the regional situation and creates additional threats for both ASEAN and Russia.

Shoigu also stressed that Moscow wants to preserve ASEAN and maintain its relations with the organization in their current form.