Russia warns Japan’s record defense budget risks escalating East Asia tensions

Russia has reacted cautiously but critically to Japan’s record 2026 defence budget, warning that military buildups in East Asia risk fuelling regional tensions, even as the Kremlin declines to go into detail beyond general concern about escalation. Dmitry Peskov’s latest comments came alongside growing Russian messaging that portrays Japan’s expanded missile and drone capabilities as part of a broader “remilitarisation” trend that Moscow and Beijing both say destabilises the Asia‑Pacific. Watch for details