Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has voiced strong objections to the AUKUS security pact, citing what he described as conditional compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
Speaking in Manila, Lavrov stated that Moscow shares the concerns of its ASEAN partners regarding the nuclear-powered submarine program's adherence to established non-proliferation norms.
The remarks highlight a growing diplomatic fault line as the AUKUS alliance—comprising Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—advances its military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Lavrov's comments suggest that Russia is seeking to leverage non-proliferation concerns to challenge the strategic legitimacy of the trilateral pact among Southeast Asian nations.
This development adds to a broader pattern of Russian diplomatic activity aimed at countering Western security architectures.
In recent weeks, Moscow has also aligned itself with the African Union on security challenges and secured backing from Eurasian Economic Union partners to criticize Armenia's deepening ties with the European Union.