Sergei Shoigu: Ukraine has lost over 90,000 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded during the counteroffensive since 4 June 2023
During this time, almost 600 tanks and about 1,900 enemy armoured vehicles were neutralised.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost over 90,000 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded during the counteroffensive launched this summer without achieving any significant successes on the battlefield, said Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
'Since 4 June, that is, since the beginning of the widely publicised and generously sponsored by the West Ukrainian counteroffensive Kiev has lost over 90,000 troops killed and wounded, about 600 tanks and almost 1,900 armoured vehicles of various type. Nevertheless, no tactically significant gains were made on the battlefield,' said Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Monday.
Russian servicemen continue methodically and confidently to perform tasks in the special military operation zone, said the Russian Defence Minister.
He noted, 'The Russian Armed Forces will continue to methodically and confidently complete tasks and ensure the safety of civilians'.
Sergei Shoigu: Western claims against Russia regarding its alleged lowering of threshold for use of nuclear weapons are absolutely groundless
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has described claims by the West against Russia regarding its alleged lowering of the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons, including as a result of the withdrawal of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), as absolutely groundless.
'These accusations are absolutely groundless. Russia's nuclear doctrine has not changed and still provides for the use of nuclear weapons only in two cases: in response to an enemy nuclear strike or if there is a threat to Russia's existence, even if conventional weapons are used against it,' said Sergei Shoigu on Monday, speaking at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.
This is how the Russian military chief commented on the Western camp's claims against Russia over its alleged lowering of the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons, including as a result of the withdrawal of the CTBT ratification.
Sergei Shoigu: Russian-Chinese partnership is built in contrast to general situation of tension caused by actions of West
Strategic cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is building up in contrast to the hotbeds of tension caused by the actions of Western countries, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said during talks with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxi in Beijing on Monday.
'Unfortunately, the military and political situation in the world is not getting calmer. New hotbeds of tension are emerging and old ones are escalating. In fact, this is the result of geopolitical adventures, egoistic neo-colonial actions of the West. The Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation are being built in contrast to the general alarming situation,' Sergei Shoigu said.
According to to the Minister, 'traditionally friendly relations retain high dynamics of development and are getting stronger in all directions'.
A special role in this, Sergei Shoigu noted, is played by trusting contacts between the leaders of the two countries.
'This year they have held two face-to-face meetings. In March, Xi Jinping's state visit to the Russian Federation was successful. The first foreign visit after his re-election to the highest state post became Beijing's strategic choice in favour of strengthening cooperation with Moscow,' said the Russian Defence Minister.
On 17-18 October, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing, where he took part in the Third International Forum 'One Belt, One Road' as the chief guest.
'His talks with President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping took place, during which, among other things, attention was paid to deepening military cooperation using all mechanisms of interaction,' said Sergei Shoigu.
'Russia and China consider each other as priority partners on the world arena,' stressed the Minister.
Sergei Shoigu expressed confidence that 'today's meeting will contribute to deepening ties between the defence ministries of the two countries and will serve to strengthen regional and global security.'
Upon the arrival of the Russian Defence Minister for the talks with Zhang Youxia from the Chinese side, the Russian delegation was officially welcomed by an honour guard company and a band.
The meeting between Sergei Shoigu and Zhang Youxia took place on the margins of the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which is taking place in China.
Prior to the plenary session, the Russian Defence Minister actively communicated with his colleagues not only from the CIS and SCO countries, but also from other states. In particular, 'on his feet' he exchanged views with the heads of delegations from Belarus, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Nigeria and other countries.
Sergei Shoigu: productive talks on security issues with West are impossible without West's revision of its line of 'strategic defeat' of Russia
The West's line on inflicting a 'strategic defeat' on Russian Federation virtually nullifies the possibility of constructive discussions on security issues, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said, speaking at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Monday.
'Russia is open to discussing and resolving any security issues if this dialogue is honest, equal and based on mutual respect of the contracting parties. However, without the West reconsidering its destructive line, which envisages inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia, productive negotiations in this sphere are hardly possible,' said Sergei Shoigu.
Sergei Shoigu: Russia is ready for realistic talks on Ukraine crisis settlement and co-existence with West
'Russia remains ready for political talks on resolving the post-conflict situation in Ukraine and continuing to coexist with the West', said Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
'Should the necessary conditions be created, we remain ready for realistic political discussions, both on the post-conflict settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and on the parameters of further coexistence with the West as a whole',said Sergei Shoigu at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Monday.
'It is important for global stability to ensure equal relations among the nuclear-weapon states that are permanent members of the UNSC', said the Russian Defence Minister.
'It is important to ensure equitable relations among all nuclear-weapon states - permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), which have a special responsibility for maintaining peace and global stability', he said.
'The international security architecture needs to be renewed and made more sustainable in order to create a just, multipolar world order.
This will require the combined efforts of all the countries concerned', said the Russian Defence Minister.
Russian Defence Ministry