Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized US actions in Asia, labeling them as “destructive” during a press conference at the East Asia Summit in Laos on October 11, 2024. He asserted that the United States is driving the militarization of Japan and attempting to sow discord among nations in the region against both Russia and China.

“The destructive character of US actions in this part of the world is obvious,” Lavrov stated to reporters, emphasizing the risks posed by the US’s influence in the area. When questioned about Japan’s suggestion to form a NATO-like military alliance in Asia, Lavrov responded, “Ideas about creating military blocs always carry risks of confrontation that could escalate.”

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Addressing Japan’s military expansion, he expressed serious concern, suggesting that the US is pushing Japan toward this militarization. “The Japanese are obviously being pushed to such a course by the United States,” he added.

In addition, Lavrov remarked on the attempts by the US, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia to make the summit’s final statement overly political, which ultimately led to its rejection. He pointed out that Western nations seek to leverage their relationships with ASEAN primarily to undermine the interests of Russia and China.