Speech of Minister of Defence of Russian Federation General of Army Sergei Shoigu at 11th Moscow Conference on International Security

Ladies and gentlemen! Dear friends!

I am pleased to welcome you to the XI Moscow Conference on International Security. We are grateful to our guests for their decision to work together.

We are aware of the unprecedented attempts by the West to disrupt the forum held under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Defence. Your participation in it is clear evidence of the failure of these destructive efforts.

The Moscow Conference has repeatedly discussed the establishment of a multipolar world order, the formation of mechanisms for cooperation and trust between defence agencies and their role in assessing threats to military security. Most of the earlier predictions have come true.

The special military operation ended the collective West's military dominance. Its ability to impose its interests in various regions of the world has been significantly reduced. These changes have increased the role of countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America in the world system, including the use of natural resources for the sovereign development of nations.

Just as in the last century the defeat of fascism in Europe by the Red Army gave a powerful impetus to the anti-colonial movement around the world, so today the defeat of the Western-backed Ukrainian neo-fascists will serve as a factor in countering modern neo-colonialism.­

Today Russia is confronted not by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but by the entire collective West, which has recently been joined by individual states in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the special military operation, the Russian Army debunked many myths about the superiority of Western military standards. It became obvious that the use of Western weaponry, supposedly advanced NATO methods of planning operations, methods of troop management and training could not ensure superiority on the battlefield.

Foreign advisers are using Ukrainian soldiers to practice various options for conducting operations using Western weaponry, and Zelensky regime is supplying manpower for these experiments. Foreign advisers do not take into account the level of losses among Ukrainian servicemen.

Despite the full assistance of the West, the AFU has not been able to achieve any results. An example of this is the much-publicised strategic counter-offensive. The skilful actions of the military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces, their coherence and high level of training make it possible to react flexibly to the implementation by Kiev of the plans of its Western handlers.

Preliminary results of the hostilities show that Ukraine's military resource is almost exhausted. Under the slogan of supporting Kiev, the United States is cleaning up its partners' military arsenals in various regions of the world, promising favourable supplies of Western-manufactured hardware in return. Essentially, there is a clearing of the market for products of the U.S. military-industrial complex.

However, the partners will have to pay the United States a lot of money for new weapons and agree to limit security sovereignty. An example is Europe, where defence policy is completely subordinated to Washington's interests.

For the Russian Army, the special military operation was a serious test. In the shortest possible time it is necessary to solve complex organisational, technical and operational tasks, to establish a meticulous study of enemy tactics, the peculiarities of the weapons used by them and the system of troop control.

The results of the analysis are used to modernise, increase the combat potential and firepower of the Russian Army. The production of missile and artillery weapons, tanks and other armoured vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles was multiplied in a short period of time. The need to increase production of military hardware and ammunition in the face of Western sanctions has given additional impetus to the development of import substitution at defence industry enterprises.

With regard to the Western-manufactured weapons supplied to Ukraine. I would like to emphasise once again that there is nothing unique or invulnerable to Russian weapons on the battlefield today. In many cases, even Soviet-manufactured hardware is superior in its combat qualities to Western models.

We have objective control data on the destruction of German-manufactured tanks, U.S.--manufactured armoured vehicles, U.K.-manufactured missiles and other weapons systems. We are ready to share assessments of the weaknesses of Western technology with our partners. You can get acquainted with individual samples of trophy weapons at the thematic exhibition in Patriot Park.

The situation is similar with the combat training of troops and the planning of AFU operations. According to statements by a number of high-ranking NATO representatives, more than 75,000 Ukrainian servicemen have been trained to Western standards. Many of them are sent to the front line, captured, and afterwards the servicemen detailed about the methods of NATO training. In most cases, their feedback was negative.

Nevertheless, we study in detail all data on the training programmes of the enemy military personnel and use them to counteract. The experience gained is also taken into account when developing training programmes for foreign military specialists in our military educational establishments.

Russian servicemen high professionalism and courage on the battlefield display, regardless of whether they are serving under contract, have been called up during the partial mobilisation or have joined volunteer formations.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our soldiers, officers and generals who are now fighting neo-Nazism on the battlefields, carrying out combat tasks on the front lines, in combat support services and in training camps.

I sincerely thank you for your hard work for the good of the Fatherland!

I will focus separately on issues of compliance with international humanitarian standards during combat actions.

Since the first days of the conflict, Ukrainian authorities have widely used civilian facilities to shelter troops and military hardware. Schools are being converted into barracks, fortification sites and heavy equipment positions are being set up in residential areas. Meanwhile, civilians are not evacuated and serve as human shields to cover the troops.

The AFU are intensifying their shelling of peaceful neighbourhoods in Donetsk and other populated areas outside of Kiev's control, as well as in the Russian border regions.

An alarming situation is developing around the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Station. Kiev is subjecting it to regular shelling with heavy weapons. The actions of the AFU could provoke a nuclear catastrophe.

We record and transmit information on incidents to UN structures and the International Committee of the Red Cross on a daily basis. No reaction, unfortunately. Often international officials claim that they allegedly do not have any information on Ukraine's non-compliance with humanitarian law.

The Kiev regime showed particular cynicism in the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Using it as a cover against missile attacks from Russia, Kiev has created substantial stocks of weapons and ammunition in Odessa and other Black Sea ports, which are systematically supplied to the front. Moreover, production of UAVs and maritime guided vehicles have been deployed near the granaries, which are used to strike infrastructure facilities in Crimea.

These facts, which are known to Ukraine's Western partners, were not taken into account when the issue of extending or terminating the Grain Initiative was considered in the United Nations.

Another humanitarian problem is related to the U.S. decision to supply Kiev with cluster munitions. The consequences of the use of such weapons on civilians are well known. Previously, U.S. officials have repeatedly stated that the use of cluster munitions is a war crime. Today, Washington and its accomplices are committing this crime in Ukraine. No condemnation from humanitarian organisations, as expected.

I wanted to draw attention to the fact that we also have cluster munitions in service. So far, for humanitarian reasons, we have refrained from using them. However, this decision is subject to review.

One of the priority humanitarian tasks of the special military operation is the release of Russian servicemen from Ukrainian captivity. Cooperation has been established with the International Committee of the Red Cross, whose representatives provide essential support in determining the whereabouts of prisoners of war and ensuring the rights of prisoners of war under international humanitarian law. Given the incompetence of the current Ukrainian authorities, this is a difficult and delicate job. We will continue to take steps to get our guys back.

History has once again given Russia the role of a locomotive in promoting the interests of the majority of independent states.

The West, fearing a breakdown of the unipolar world and an open confrontation with a militarily strong adversary, provokes local conflicts around the world. The purpose of such policies is to weaken competitors, maintain control over resources, promote their own rules of life, and counteract the consolidation of dissenters.

There has been a marked increase in Western states' military presence in Asia, Africa and Latin America. U.S. overseas military bases continue to be improved.

Systematic attempts are being made to dismantle the Asean-centric security system established in the Asia-Pacific region. The NATO bloc confrontation is being actively implemented, including by involving the United States' European allies in solving regional security problems.

We note a characteristic tendency to create an AUCUS regional association along the lines of NATO. Of particular concern is the fact that the first practical project of this alliance was cooperation in the field of military nuclear technology.

In parallel, attempts are being made to destroy existing effective mechanisms for military cooperation, in particular ADMM-Plus. Instead of the really important issues, whether it is military medicine or humanitarian demining, the focus shifts to gender issues, climate change and the Blue Economy. It is unlikely that such discussions will help to unite the countries of the region in jointly addressing security issues. All the more so because the views of Asia-Pacific and Western States on these issues differ.

The West is escalating the situation around Taiwan. There are a number of similarities in the methods of work previously used to heat the situation around Ukraine. First of all, it is connected with arms supplies, the growth of nationalist sentiments in the media, and the formation of a pro-Western anti-national ruling elite. The cynicism of the situation is that at the same time there are calls for dialogue with Beijing at various levels from Washington.

The experience of U.S.-Russian interaction shows that military contacts make practical sense only when there is a political will to cooperate. Today, Moscow and Beijing are declared strategic adversaries by the U.S. The Pentagon's actual moves indicate a desire to secure an advantage for itself in a military confrontation.

Under these conditions, bilateral relations between Russia and China have surpassed the level of strategic ties by all parameters, becoming more than allied.

We will continue to strengthen military cooperation with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, where one of our most important partners is India, with which we have historically established particularly privileged relations. With Vietnam, Myanmar, Mongolia, Laos, Indonesia and Bangladesh, we share a common experience of struggle against colonial domination.

I would like to make a special mention of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. During the visit to Pyongyang, I saw first-hand the achievements of the people of that country, under the leadership of the president of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong Un in ensuring their own security. Neither international isolation nor economic sanctions have been able to stop the development of the Republic. The country has made impressive progress in addressing difficult social and defence challenges. The development of military cooperation is in the fundamental interests of our peoples and does not pose a threat to anyone.

The situation in the Middle East is developing positively. Syria's return to the Arab League has been a powerful stabilising factor for the entire region. The implications of this decision are strategic. With the normalisation of Saudi-Iranian relations, an independent security system is gradually being established in the region.

However, there is a high probability that the collective West will continue to provoke conflicts in the region. Potential hot spots abound there. It is necessary to prepare for such a negative development of events and take proactive measures, including the area of military self-sufficiency. The Russian Ministry of Defence intends to increase comprehensive cooperation both with traditional partners and with all those who is in favout of the formation of independent centres of power in a multipolar world.

The security of Russia's CSTO allies in Central Asia is a key priority for the Russian military department. Today, the main challenges and threats to the region are taking shape in Afghanistan, where the influence of international terrorist organisations is growing after decades of U.S. protectorate.

Western countries are increasingly engaging with various national non-Pashtun armoured groups. The intent of their actions is clear. On the one hand, a conflict hotbed is created in the border areas of our partners, and on the other hand, military assistance is offered to neutralise the conflict. The interests of civilians and the stability of states and authorities are not taken into account.

Despite the difficult situation in Europe, the fight against terrorism and assistance to Russian allies remains a top priority for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Such support, as before, will include servicemen training, joint exercises, troop training, and the supply of arms and military equipment.

The Arctic region plays an increasingly important role in ensuring Russia's military and economic security. The exploration and development of northern regions has been a priority for the Russian state throughout its history. Extra-regional states have begun to show increased military interest in the Russian Arctic. Attempts to introduce some new rules defining the procedure for the passage of ships near our borders are being made. The European mass-media is intensifying a campaign, aimed at discrediting Russian steps to create a safe navigation and monitoring system and to ensure the environmental sustainability of the region.

NATO's military activities has increased significantly after Finland joined the alliance and NATO de facto Sweden's military structures takeover. Although it is still an open question for us, what Helsinki and Stockholm have gained from their successive involvement in a military confrontation with Russia.

We are closely monitoring the changes that are taking place. We will give an adequate respond to security threats and provocative attempts, including by strengthening the security of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. No one should have any illusions that it is possible to damage Russian interests against the background of Russian special military operation.

Countries of Latin America today shows an example of upholding the rights to the independent development of peoples. The pole of power, forming here, is becoming increasingly important in today's world.

The developing multilateral ties of the region's countries and active cooperation with independent international organizations offer good prospects for overcoming the U.S. Monroe Doctrine, which limits the independence of the region's states.

We are sincerely grateful to the military departments of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua for supporting the special military operation from its very beginning. Within the framework of existing cooperation programs, we are ready to share our experience in adapting the army to combat operations in modern high-intensity warfare.

Our positions on assessing the situation in the world largely coincide with the majority of countries in the region. We note the need of developing contacts with partners from Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico and Argentina. Consultations and delegation exchanges should be intensified in the new environment of opposition from the U.S. and its allies.

I am pleased to see in this Hall our numerous friends and partners from the African continent.

The MCIS follows the second Russia-Africa Summit, which recently concluded successfully in St. Petersburg.

Today we have an opportunity to discuss in detail the military aspects of security in Africa and to define and adjust the priorities of military and military-technical cooperation.

The discussions during the Russia-Africa Summit strengthened our conviction that countering neo-colonialism, along with countering the terrorist threat, is a basic element of cooperation.

We are convinced that African countries should have modern armed forces, trained and well-equipped, capable of responding independently to challenges and threats to their own security.

Western activities on the African continent are primarily aimed at preserving the ability to siphon off the natural resources of former colonies by maintaining conflict hotpoints. A lot of anti-government and terrorist groups are used for this purpose.

At the same time, the basis for justifying the military presence of former metropolises within the framework of multinational peacekeeping contingents is being established. For example, the long-standing work of European Union missions in Africa and France's Operation 'Barkhane' have failed to reduce terrorist activity. As a result, the EU recognized the fiasco of its efforts.

The Russian Defense Ministry will continue to expand interaction with African countries in the area of military and military-technical cooperation.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Your participation in the Moscow Conference has an important political dimension, proving the significant role of interaction between the military departments of friendly countries, especially in a complex international situation. Only together we can ensure stability and peace for our peoples.

I wish everyone interesting and useful meetings, fruitful discussions during the plenary sessions and round tables.

Thank you for your attention.