“All NATO activities, wherever they occur, are aimed at containing Russia. In this sense, both Central Asia and the South Caucasus are the same regions from where Russia must be contained. Russia can be contained first of all... I’m not just talking about NATO, I’m talking about the United States, the European Union and other actors who are participating in this, they are restraining them by destroying historical ties between Russia and our closest partners, preventing the strengthening of the EurAsEC, preventing the strengthening of the CSTO ", said the Deputy Minister.
One of the goals of the alliance is to prevent the SCO from strengthening its role, Grushko noted.
“And in general, preventing Eurasianism, the Eurasian region from being formed as a region of peace, security, and harmony. This is a nightmare for our opponents in the West. This is precisely the trend that will probably prevail in the coming years,” the interlocutor added.
President Vladimir Putin earlier at a meeting with permanent members of the country's Security Council emphasized that relations with its closest partners and neighbors are of greatest importance for the Russian Federation.