The Ukraine conflict is a de facto clash between Russia and the West, in which the US is determined to cling to its global hegemony, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has claimed.
Speaking at the opening of the Army 2024 International Military-Technical Forum on Monday, Belousov stated that the US and its allies are seeking to “prevent the creation of a new multi-polar and equal world order,” with the hostilities between Moscow and Kiev among the telltale signs of these efforts.
The Ukraine conflict, he stressed, “is essentially an armed confrontation between Russia and the collective West” which is “caused by the desire of the United States and its allies to maintain their dominance.”
According to the Russian defense chief, this struggle is subsequently a matter of concern not only for Moscow, but also for every other state in the world.
Belousov also said that Russia could achieve success on the battlefield only if the national defense industry is able to provide the army with the most advanced weapons, including high-precision systems. Other conditions that could give Moscow an edge involve honing new tactics – including in drone warfare – as well as creating a new command and control framework based on cutting-edge technology, and improving combat training.
Russian officials have repeatedly said that one of the key reasons for the conflict with Ukraine is Kiev’s aspirations to join NATO, which Moscow views as an adversary. Moscow has also condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they only prolong the conflict while making the West a direct participant in the hostilities.
The US and its allies have accused Russia of launching an “unprovoked” attack on Ukraine in February 2022 and have vowed to stand with Kiev for “as long as it takes.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin argued in June that Europe needs a new security infrastructure, claiming that the West’s “selfishness and arrogance” had brought the continent extremely close to a “point of no return.” Moscow also maintains that the Ukraine conflict cannot be addressed without taking into the account the broader geopolitical landscape and Russia’s security interests.