The United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region are demonstratively taking steps to apply the so-called extended nuclear deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region. This is stated in the commentary of the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, published on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"The United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region defiantly marked the movement towards duplication in the region of those destructive for international security schemes of the so-called extended nuclear deterrence, which Washington has practiced and continues to develop within NATO for decades after the end of the Cold War with the full support of other members of the North Atlantic bloc, which declared itself a nuclear alliance," Zakharova said.

Recall that the provision on "extended nuclear deterrence" is contained in the US policy document "Nuclear Posture Review", which defines Washington's long-term strategy in the field of nuclear weapons. Declassified excerpts from this updated document were published by the United States Department of Defense on October 27, 2022. It says that American dual-use aircraft and nuclear weapons, the advanced deployment of which is carried out in the area of responsibility of the US European Command, are "the basis of the mechanisms for sharing the nuclear burden in NATO."

"The United States will continue to support steps to ensure a modern, ready and reliable (mechanism. - RT) nuclear deterrence by the states of the alliance, "the review says.

As noted in the document, despite the fact that "the shadow of the Cold War has long receded," both in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific region, "new threats are emerging."

"Our commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific region also remains relevant. We will continue to deploy flexible nuclear forces capable of deterring regional nuclear conflict, including the ability to forward deploy strategic bombers, dual-use fighter jets and nuclear weapons in the region ... We will also identify opportunities for greater integration of (defense. - RT) capabilities in order to respond to emerging threats, "the Nuclear Posture Review says.

However, according to Zakharova, Moscow is convinced that the further spread of this practice by the collective West will bring nothing "except for escalating tensions, spurring security crises and provoking an arms race."

"We call on the United States and its allies, who, in pursuit of decisive military superiority, are implementing a number of military programs that undermine global strategic stability, to stop rocking the situation and abandon steps leading to a weakening of the overall level of security for all states," the diplomat stressed.

The South Korean factor

With a statement on the duplication of US extended nuclear deterrence schemes in the Asia-Pacific region, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the agreement on joint planning for the use of nuclear weapons by the United States and South Korea. According to Zakharova, such a development is clearly destabilizing and "will have serious negative consequences" for regional security "with a projection on global stability."

Recall that on April 26, the United States and South Korea agreed to create an advisory group on nuclear issues to discuss and plan actions in the event of a "special situation related to the nuclear threat." Washington and Seoul agreed to cooperate on a joint approach "to nuclear deterrence, taking into account the growing threat posed by the DPRK." In addition, the United States promised to intensify the deployment of its strategic forces and assets on the Korean Peninsula and near it, in particular "American platforms equipped with nuclear weapons."

Recall that like its other non-aligned partners, as well as NATO allies, the United States provides South Korea with a nuclear umbrella as part of the "extended nuclear deterrence" strategy. So, at the end of January, during a meeting in Seoul, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and his South Korean counterpart agreed to expand the American presence in the region, including through the deployment of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Then Austin declared his readiness to defend South Korea, including with the use of nuclear weapons.

  • The head of the Pentagon (right) and the President of South Korea (left)
  • © Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza/defense.gov

On April 27, during the visit of the South Korean president to the Pentagon, the US Secretary of Defense confirmed this idea, announcing Washington's commitment to a commitment to "extended deterrence" against South Korea, which involves the use of nuclear weapons if necessary.

'Ill-conceived and audacious policy'

As Pavel Feldman, associate professor at the Academy of Labor and Social Relations, noted in an interview with RT, Moscow justifiably expresses its concern about the transfer of Washington's schemes within the framework of extended nuclear deterrence to the Asia-Pacific region.

"The United States has recently made very vigorous efforts to maintain its global leadership in the world. However, they no longer have enough political, economic, or conventional military means for this, so they decided to change the strategy," the expert said.

"Washington has focused on plans to expand the club of nuclear powers at the expense of loyal allies, to whom the United States is ready to provide weapons capable of carrying nuclear weapons," Feldman said.

In turn, Vladimir Shapovalov, Deputy Director of the Institute of History and Politics of the Moscow State Pedagogical University, recalled that as part of the strategy of extended nuclear deterrence, the United States initiated the creation of the AUKUS defense alliance, which, in addition to the United States, includes Australia and the United Kingdom.

"US actions of this kind pose a direct threat to peace, as they increase tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. Russia is extremely concerned about this situation, since the escalation is taking place in close proximity to the Russian borders, "the analyst said in a conversation with RT.

According to Shapovalov, Washington is strengthening its presence in the region and seeks to expand the number of countries it draws into its orbit.

"All this carries enormous risks for international security. And the states that are in allied relations with the United States and, in fact, are their satellites, become a springboard for the militaristic actions of the United States, including those related to extended nuclear deterrence, "the expert is sure.

As Pavel Feldman emphasized, by such actions, the United States "puts the world on the brink of a major nuclear war."

"Although Washington denies that it will transfer nuclear weapons to its allies, in fact, it is still preparation for the supply of such weapons if necessary. As for South Korea, the actions of the United States in relation to it are tantamount to an attempt to extinguish the fire with gasoline - there is already significant tension in the Asia-Pacific region, "the expert believes.

In his opinion, by extending the strategy of extended nuclear deterrence to the Asia-Pacific region, the United States seeks to increase the potential of the so-called Asian NATO, which is being formed to confront the Russian Federation and China. Washington is openly pumping its allies in the Asia-Pacific region with combat weapons capable of carrying nuclear weapons, the analyst stressed.

  • Pentagon
  • AP
  • © Pablo Martinez Monsivais

"Due to this, Washington wants to create additional military-political pressure on China and Russia, which also have geopolitical interests in this region. But if the United States and its allies raise the stakes, create additional threats to the PRC and the Russian Federation in the Asia-Pacific region, then it would be a logical step to increase military-technical and political cooperation between Beijing and Moscow. In this sense, the United States is pushing China and Russia towards even greater rapprochement, substituting themselves because of their ill-conceived, inconsistent and very daring policies in this region, "Feldman concluded.