Russia Defence Minister says West aims to strategically defeat Russia, pose threat to China via Ukraine

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the West wants to maintain its own monopoly position

Aftermath of a Russian missile attack in Mykolaiv. Credit: Reuters Photo

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Friday said the real aim of the West in Ukraine is to strategically defeat Russia, to pose a threat to China, and to maintain its own monopoly position, state-owned news agency RIA reported.

RIA cited him as adding that "almost all" NATO countries had deployed their military capabilities against Russia.