Moscow: Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu has issued a warning that nuclear weapons could potentially be stationed on Australian territory as a result of Canberra's involvement in the AUKUS security partnership with the United States and Britain. The announcement came during the sixth round of consultations between Russia and ASEAN senior security officials, part of the International Security Forum held in Russia's Moscow region.

According to Anadolu Agency, Shoygu highlighted that Washington is enhancing its military capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, relying heavily on regional alliances such as AUKUS. This trilateral security pact, established in September 2021, comprises Australia, the UK, and the US. Shoygu emphasized that the US is focusing on strengthening the military potential of its regional allies through newly formed military-political alliances.

Shoygu further indicated that Japan and South Korea are preparing to deploy US nuclear weapons, which would significantly impact regional security. He cautioned that similar developments could occur in Australia due to its participation in the AUKUS partnership.

Additionally, Shoygu expressed serious concern over what he described as Washington's outright rejection of a Russian initiative to maintain elements of the New START treaty through voluntary mutual restrictions following the treaty's suspension. The New START Treaty, a 2010 agreement between the US and Russia, limits both nations to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads and 700 delivery systems. It is set to expire in February 2026 and is the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the two countries.

Shoygu noted that the US appears to be pursuing a strategy that allows for "complete freedom of action," which includes the potential to increase its nuclear arsenal beyond New START Treaty limits and possibly resume nuclear tests.