Military Review, December 10, 2025, Avia.pro. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu told reporters about the growing threats posed by new military alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, comparing them to emerging structures like NATO.

"You're probably seeing, and you're not alone, the emergence of what some call small-geometry structures, others small forms, and it varies. These are, I'd call them, perhaps a bit crudely, 'embryos' of NATO in the East." - said Shoigu.

According to him, these blocs are gradually evolving in a direction that worsens the situation and creates additional risks for both ASEAN and Russia. Shoigu emphasized Moscow's desire to maintain existing contacts with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in its current format.

He did not name any specific countries or alliances.