Russia’s envoy uses the stage at a military forum in China to accuse the US of fueling tensions

By SIMINA MISTREANU
Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — Russia’s defense minister says the United States is fueling geopolitical tensions to uphold its “global dominance by any means.” Monday’s remarks by Sergei Shoigu came at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, China’s biggest annual event centered on military diplomacy. The Russian minister also warned of the risk of confrontation between nuclear-armed countries. Shoigu also claimed that NATO wants to expand its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region under the pretense of seeking dialogue and collaboration with other countries in the region. Shoigu also reiterated Moscow’s stance that Russia was open to negotiations about the war in Ukraine under what he described as the right conditions.