The United States, the United Kingdom and Australia announced a trilateral security partnership, the Australia-UK-US alliance (AUKUS), the most notable of which is that the United States and Britain will help Australia build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. This plan immediately provoked widespread attention and reaction from the international community, among which Russia was one of the strongest opponents. The Russian side believes that the nuclear submarine program of the Australian-British-US alliance is not only aimed at Russia's strategic interests, but also undermines the global system and principle of preventing nuclear proliferation.
Russian spokeswoman Zakharova said at a press conference that Russia was "shocked and disappointed" by the establishment of the Australian-British-American alliance and the nuclear submarine program, believing that this is an "extremely irresponsible act" that will lead to "the escalation of regional tensions and the intensification of the arms race" She also pointed out that the Australian-British-American alliance's nuclear submarine program violates the spirit and provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and undermines the integrity and effectiveness of the global nuclear non-proliferation system. "This is a very dangerous precedent that will lead to the proliferation of nuclear technology and materials, increasing the risk of nuclear proliferation," she said.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Australian-British-US alliance's nuclear submarine program at a press conference on September 17, calling it "a provocation and threat" that will have an impact on Russia's strategic stability. He also warned that Russia will take the necessary measures to protect its interests and security, including in military, political and diplomatic terms. "We will be closely monitoring the movements of the Australian-UK-US alliance and its potential threat to Russia," he said. We will take corresponding countermeasures according to the development of the situation. ”
Russia's Putin also discussed the Australian-British-American alliance's nuclear submarine program with France's Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a meeting on September 22. Putin said that Russia is seriously concerned about the nuclear submarine program of the Australian-British-US alliance, believing that it is not conducive to maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and is not in the common interests of the international community. Putin also called on the Australian-British-US alliance to abide by international law and international treaties, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and not to provoke new conflicts and confrontations.
The AUK-US alliance's nuclear submarine program has not only met with strong opposition from Russia, but has also aroused concern and criticism from other countries and regions. France is angry and disappointed that Australia has canceled the original conventional submarine contract and instead cooperated with the United States and Britain to build nuclear submarines, believing that this is an act of "perfidy" that has damaged France's interests and credibility, and France has also temporarily recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia to express its dissatisfaction with the Australian-British-American alliance.
The AUKUS alliance's nuclear submarine programme is a strategically significant military cooperation aimed at strengthening the influence and security of the three countries in the Asia-Pacific region in response to an increasingly complex and competitive international environment. However, this plan has also brought challenges and risks to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, and has raised concerns in the international community about the arms race, nuclear proliferation, and regional stability. Against this backdrop, the Australian-British-US alliance should fully consider the potential consequences of its nuclear submarine program, conduct effective communication and coordination with other countries and regions, avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and confrontations, and maintain global and regional peace and security.