Russia's foreign minister on Sunday accused the United States of driving increased militarization in Southeast Asia, saying that Washington was trying to contain Beijing and Moscow's influence in the region.
Sergei Lavrov was speaking to reporters at Phnom Penh's airport after attending the East Asia Summit in Cambodia — and before flying to Bali for the G20 summit where China's leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden will meet.
Earlier on Sunday, Biden said he would establish "red lines" with Xi.
Washington is attempting to boost its influence in Southeast Asia, worried by Beijing's increasingly assertive behavior in the region, which it views as its strategic backyard.
Lavrov accused the United States of pushing the "militarization of this region, clearly aimed at containing China and limiting Russian interests in the region."
As the Ukraine invasion has ground on, and with Western sanctions biting, Russia has pivoted toward Southeast Asia in an attempt to shore up its battered economy.
Lavrov called Washington's strategy — which has seen the United States push for closer relations with Southeast Asian nations — "not inclusive and that compete with the inclusive structures created around ASEAN."
The regional summit in Cambodia has been dominated by international concerns, as first Ukraine and then the U.S.-China rivalry overshadowed local concerns such as Myanmar.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
