Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the AUKUS defense pact, unveiled by the US, UK and Australia last year, has the potential to become a political and military alliance. The trilateral alliance was established in 2021 to “deepen diplomatic, security and defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region”, the three countries said in a statement.

A key part of the deal was the US and UK’s commitment to supply nuclear-powered submarines to the Australian Navy, and was widely understood as an effort to curb Chinese influence. In the region.

Speaking at the Moscow conference on international security, Shoigu then referred to the New START treaty between the United States and Russia, which is due for renewal in 2026.

Shoigu said the talks between the nations to extend the treaty came at a time when the US-Russian nuclear dynamic was “not easy” and negotiations would be a “two-way street”.

The treaty, also known as the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, is touted by the United States as strengthening “United States national security by imposing verifiable limits on all nuclear weapons at intercontinental range deployed by Russia”.

It comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Western countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, were working to deploy a “NATO-like system” in the Asia-Pacific region.

He added that the United States was seeking to “prolong” the conflict in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has long sought to prevent the influence of the nuclear alliance from moving east towards its borders.

Shoigu then claimed that military operations carried out by Ukrainian fighters were planned by the United Kingdom and the United States.

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Shortly after ordering the invasion, Putin placed Moscow’s nuclear arsenal on high alert.

Late Monday, Ukraine called for new sanctions against Russia’s nuclear capabilities after another bombing of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.

Both sides blamed each other for fires and explosions at the Zaporizhzhia power plant, which is controlled by Russia but operated by Ukrainian personnel.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening speech: “If by the actions of Russia a catastrophe occurs, the consequences could hit those who for the moment are silent.

He added: “If now the world does not show strength and determination to defend a nuclear power plant, it will mean that the world has lost.

The UN nuclear watchdog has expressed serious concerns about the safety of the plant, arguing for an inspection visit.

Mr Zelensky said Russian soldiers at the nuclear power plant would become “special targets” for Ukrainian forces.