Russian Foreign Ministry: Moscow and Minsk Monitor NATO Movements Near Their Borders

Moscow, October 21 (KUNA) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Moscow and Minsk are monitoring NATO’s movements near the borders of the so-called Union State of Russia and Belarus, noting that the alliance’s increased military buildup warrants attention. According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, citing information from the Foreign Ministry’s statement, Moscow is preparing to participate in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Group of Twenty (G20) scheduled to be held in the United States, expressing concern over what it described as restrictions preventing the participation of the Russian delegation.

On Russia-U.S. relations, the statement pointed to discussions on joint economic projects and the wide potential for developing bilateral ties, while emphasizing the need to address the existing reality when exploring prospects for cooperation between the two countries.

Regarding Russia-Japan relations, the Russian Foreign Ministry considered a Japanese company’s supply of unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine an “hostile step,” accusing Tokyo of encouraging its companies to conclude deals with Kyiv. The statement added that Moscow would firmly respond to this move, affirming that it possesses the necessary means to deter what it described as such actions.

These positions come amid ongoing tensions related to the war in Ukraine and Russia’s relations with Western countries, alongside declared efforts to maintain Russia-U.S. communication channels in political and economic fields. (End) Dan / A.M.S.