“Terrorism is transboundary”: Russian Deputy Minister of Defense - on global security, NATO expansion and the situation in Syria

- Alexander Vasilyevich, what are the tasks of the Moscow Conference on International Security?

- This event is held for the eighth time. Its popularity and the number of visitors is growing. The previous conference was attended by 30 ministers of defense and 14 deputies, 850 people from 95 states. This year we expect over 1 thousand guests from 111 countries. 35 delegations will be led by ministers of defense, 19 by deputy heads of military departments and chiefs of general staffs. The purpose of the conference is to conduct an honest, equal dialogue, free from any clichés and ideological cliches. We are open to anyone who wants to share their ideas on global and regional security issues.

- Has the USA managed to influence its allies among the NATO countries and the Middle East region so that they reduce the level of their participation in the conference?

- Washington is putting pressure on its partners. Unfortunately, these steps are bearing fruit. The countries of the North Atlantic Alliance and Europe will take part in the conference in a limited composition - mainly representatives of the defense ministries accredited in Moscow will be delegated. At the same time, the event confirmed the participation of 16 Arab states, which speaks volumes.

- What are the main topics to be discussed at the meetings and on the sidelines of the conference?

- Issues of global and regional security on all continents - in America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Problems associated with missile defense and weapons deployment in space. The main topic of the conference will be the situation in Syria and Iraq - the plenary session and the specialized section will be devoted to this issue. After the destruction of the main hotbeds of terrorism in these countries, the main task is to provide humanitarian operations, rebuild the economy and infrastructure, and return the refugees.

- Now the situation is dynamically developing in the north of Africa: in Algeria, Libya and Sudan. Will issues of stability in this region be discussed at the conference?

- Yes, as well.

- What happened from a military point of view in connection with the recent US withdrawal from the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF)?

- In 2001, Washington announced its withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. The US decision on the INF Treaty is another very serious and irresponsible step to further destroy the architecture of global and regional security. It should be said about the advancement of NATO countries to the east, approaching the borders of the Russian Federation, the deployment of additional military contingents and powerful weapons systems. Moscow will be forced to respond to these steps and will give an adequate response. As Russian President Vladimir Putin said, within the framework of the allocated budget allocations.

- What do the countries - members of NATO and your European colleagues say about such actions by the United States? Are we on the verge of a new arms race?

- Washington and the states of the alliance constantly make statements about the "Russian threat" and repeat them as a spell, as a mantra. These stamps are used primarily by our European partners. They are intended only to justify their aggressive actions against Russia. At the same time, in the course of bilateral contacts with European countries and NATO members, we sometimes hear a different, more objective assessment of the situation. Our partners understand where the threat to the world really comes from. They realize that further progress to the east, the militarization of the countries bordering on Russia cannot but lead to an intensified arms race and an escalation of the situation in the region. Our partners are ready to admit that now the de-escalation of the situation is needed.

• Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left to right) in Sochi, February 14, 2019
• © Sergei Chirikov / Pool via REUTERS

- What is the relationship between Russia and Turkey, which is part of NATO?

- Now our relations with Turkey, our neighbor and partner, are on the rise in all directions: in politics, economy and in military-technical cooperation. We interact in Syria. The Turkish side is one of the parties - the guarantors of the Astana process. Without interaction, it would be impossible to resolve a number of issues of a political settlement in Syria, such as the creation of a de-escalation zone in Idlib. The first part of the S-400 complex will be delivered to Turkey soon. We actively cooperate with other projects.

- How could you comment on the situation with the supply of Turkey S-400 and the reaction to this deal of Washington?

- Our Turkish partners have shown tremendous fortitude, despite the strongest US pressure due to the C-400 project.

In terms of its reliability, tactical and technical characteristics and combat effectiveness, this air defense system surpasses all existing complexes in the West. S-400 is designed to destroy all modern and even promising targets of aerospace attack. This air defense system is capable of hitting targets flying at a speed of 4,800 m / s, which have not even been created yet. This complex can shoot down all the aircraft, built on the aerodynamic scheme, cruise and ballistic missiles, their separating warheads.

The S-400 has another advantage - it is competitively priced compared to its Western counterparts. Not only the countries of the Middle East region, but also other states want to acquire this complex. Contacts are being made in this direction.

• SA-400
• © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

- At what stage is the dialogue with Turkey on Idlib?

- Together with the Turkish partners in this province, we have created a so-called demilitarization zone. It is designed for the withdrawal of heavy weapons systems and militants. We are very active with Ankara in organizing coordinated patrols in this zone by the troops of the Russian Federation and Turkey.

- The United States previously announced victory over IS * in Syria. Do you have fears that this terrorist organization might regain control of a number of territories on the eastern bank of the Euphrates?

- The US thesis on the destruction of ISIS does not fully correspond to reality. This is not quite a calm region. It has preserved the infrastructure of the militants, the remnants of individual gangs are operating. We believe that it is necessary to stop their support and allow Syrian government forces to complete the operation to free their territory from all gangster groups. Otherwise, the threat of returning ISIS will remain.

- You are not afraid of the fact that the militants will appear in the north of Africa, in the Sahel region, or go to Afghanistan and Central Asia?

- They are moving from one state to another - unfortunately, this is the reality. Militants have already moved to the region of North Africa, in particular, to Libya, descended into Central Africa, reached the south of the mainland. They also flow into Afghanistan - some are consolidated on Afghan territory, others are sent to Southeast Asia. Militants pose a threat to the countries of Central and Central Asia. In the end, they exist in Europe - terrorism and extremism are transboundary.

- Is Russia ready to cooperate with China in countering terrorist organizations in Central Asia?

- We cooperate with the PRC, including on issues of combating terrorism. Active contacts are being held through our special services, whose activities are aimed at countering separatism and extremism. In addition, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we have created a Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure. A very active work is carried out, including through the expert group, which was established on the initiative of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

- Washington does not hide its intention to overthrow the regime in Venezuela, then in Cuba and in Nicaragua. How will the situation develop in this region?

- The situation in Venezuela remains very complex. The US authorities declared the leadership of this country to be their enemy, the next victims are Cuba and Nicaragua. There is a complete disregard and violation of the norms of international law, all the rules of decency. The United States has a force option in store that they frighten everyone with. However, it is not in the interests of the United States itself, since it can further rally the population around the Venezuelan government. In addition, this move may negatively turn Latin America against Washington.

The United States does not shun any tools: they widely use the tools of hybrid wars, color revolutions, prepare leaders and functionaries of radical movements. In service - bribery, threats, sectoral sanctions. In general, they exert all kinds of pressure on the Venezuelan authorities. An operation called “blackout” is underway - a planned man-made shutdown of energy facilities, which adversely affects the situation in the country and aggravates the economic crisis.

The current legal government headed by Nicolas Maduro controls the situation - the armed forces are ready to repel external aggression. We support Venezuela in the framework of military-technical cooperation, in terms of the restoration of weapons and military equipment. There are a number of agreements between our countries that we abide by.

- What steps need to be taken to make the world more secure?

- We all need to unite our efforts in the fight against terrorism. Do not divide the militants into good and bad. Do not feed terrorism with everything you need - finance, weapons, equipment, material means.

* “Islamic State” (IG, ISIL) - the organization is recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated December 29, 2014.

Watch the full interview at RTD.