Russia is boosting combat readiness of its bases in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan amid efforts by the United States and its allies to grow their military presence in Central Asia. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, RIA Novosti reports.
«The United States and its allies, under the pretext of helping in the fight against terrorism, are trying to restore their military presence in Central Asia. We regard requests to the countries of the region to deploy military infrastructure as a direct threat to stability in the SCO space. For our part, we are increasing the combat readiness of Russian military bases in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as other forces to respond to possible challenges,» he said at a meeting of Defense Ministers of the SCO member states in New Delhi.
At the same time, Sergei Shoigu noted that «the NATO countries, following the results of their 20-year presence on Afghanistan’s territory and subsequent rapid withdrawal, bear the greatest responsibility for the situation there.»
«They should bear the main financial costs of post-conflict reconstruction,» he stressed.
