All news

Foreign Ministry says Russia’s defense cooperation poses no threat to regional security

The Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the latest statements by US officials regarding Russian Air Force activities in the Asia-Pacific region

MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. Russia’s cooperation with foreign partners in the defense sphere is not aimed against any third parties, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in the wake of the latest statements by US officials regarding Russian Air Force activities in the Asia-Pacific region.

"One cannot but feel surprise over claims by US officials Russian Air Force activities, including the use of infrastructures in Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula, might cause growth in regional tensions," the Foreign Ministry said on Friday. "The activity of the Russian Air Force, as well as cooperation between Russia and foreign partners, including Vietnam in the defence sphere is carried out in strict compliance with international norms and bilateral agreements, which are not targeted against any third parties and pose no threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region."

The US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Wednesday: "We’ve urged Vietnamese officials to ensure that Russia is not able to use its access to Cam Ranh Bay to conduct activities that could raise tensions in the region. Obviously we’ve done that privately with Vietnamese Government officials," Psaki said.

"I don’t have confirmation of what’s happened or hasn’t happened to date. We’re referring to conversations about concerns that allowing them to use Cam Ranh Bay could raise tensions in the region," the spokesperson said.