Russia Accuses US and Allies of Provoking Military Confrontation with China.

Russia criticized the US and multilateral groupings like the Quad and AUKUS as attempts to contain China at the defence ministers’ meet of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The Russian defence minister accused the US and its allies of opposing the formation of a multipolar world in the Asia-Pacific and pursuing a strategic agenda to provoke military confrontation with Russia and China. The critical references to the Quad and the explicit support expressed for China on Indian soil will not go down well with New Delhi, which is already concerned over the tightening Moscow-Beijing strategic embrace.