Singapore PM: Putin’s Justification for Attacking Ukraine Makes Asia Feel Very Insecure All

WASHINGTON DC, KOMPAS.com – Justification Russia to attack Ukraine makes Asia worried for its own security, said the Prime Minister (PM) of Singapore during a visit to the United States on Wednesday (30/3/2022).

Russian President Vladimir Putin laid the groundwork for his invasion using a historical narrative that shocked listeners around the world—not just in Europe and North America.

Also read: The Story of a Flower Shop That Stays Open in a Ukrainian Ghost Town

Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong says in the East, where is the power China continues to increase, there are concerns that the dispute territorial for decades can end up in the same way.

“This affects the Asia-Pacific region on many levels. First of all, it undermines the international framework for law and order, and peace between nations. It violates the United Nations Charter; endangers independence, sovereigntyand the territorial integrity of all countries, especially small ones,” Lee said Newsweek.

On February 21, three days before Putin launched a full-scale military offensive for regime change in Kyiv, he described Ukraine as “entirely created by Russia.”

The Russian leader also said the country had no culture or identity of its own, and Soviet leaders Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin mistakenly gave up the land.

His argument builds on a lengthy essay written last summer, in which Putin called Russia and Ukraine “one nation”.

Also read: Russia announces ceasefire in Mariupol, Ukraine prepares 45 buses for evacuation

As the war broke out last month, Putin’s allusions resonated throughout Asia, and especially in Taiwan, where his people championed a similar historical theme used by leaders in Beijing.

Cursing Invasion

Singapore has condemned Russian invasion of Ukraine in the strongest terms, voted to denounce it at the United Nations and join sweeping sanctions against its economy.

China, meanwhile, on its own strategic calculations, is doing the opposite. Beijing remains the only member of the UN Security Council to provide the Kremlin with significant political cover.

If “crazy decisions and historical mistakes are justification for attacking other people,” Lee said, “I think many of us will feel very insecure in Asia-Pacific, but also around the world.”

Singapore’s leaders see the conflict as a threat to a multilateral framework in which rival countries cooperate on global issues including trade, climate change and non-proliferation.

Also read: Taiwan learns Ukraine-Russia war tactics, discusses with US

He also hinted at a potential arms race in Asia. Countries such as Japan and South Korea may seek to ensure their own security. For example with the offensive power option, which includes nuclear capability, although there are clear risks.

“What’s happening in Ukraine is definitely going to have a huge impact on US-China relations. It’s going to weigh on them; it’s already straining them,” Lee said.

Beijing’s alignment with Moscow may lead to further ideological rifts with the West. However, the Singaporean PM said he did not see the same impact in China’s immediate environment.

“I don’t think that in the (Asia Pacific) region, the fact that China refuses to distance itself from Russia is detrimental,” said the leader of the Southeast Asian city-state.

“All countries in the region — they are concerned about sovereignty and the principles of the UN charter — but at the same time, they want their relationship with China. Some of them have significant relations with Russia, for example, India.”

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But Lee highlighted Beijing’s refusal to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, which run counter to his country’s views on territorial sovereignty and integrity.

“I think it gives them (China) an awkward question. Because in Ukraine, it violates the very principles China holds dear — territorial integrity, and sovereignty and non-intervention,” Lee said, his response likely to refer to a politically sensitive region. including Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet.

In recent years, Singapore’s PM has spoken at length about what appear to be the main geopolitical challenges of the post-Cold War period.

He highlighted China’s rapid rise and the need to integrate it peacefully into the existing world order.

As Lee and Biden released a joint statement and provided prepared statements outside the White House, Singapore’s PM outlined his country’s position on Ukraine.

Also read: Russia Offers Rp 100 Million Per Month to the Syrian Army to Pay War in Ukraine

He stressed that the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of all countries, large and small, must be respected. An unwarranted military invasion of a sovereign state under any pretext is unacceptable.

“We cannot forgive any country who argues that the independence of another country is the result of history, mistakes and crazy decisions,” he said.

According to him, the war in Ukraine has implications for the Asia-Pacific. There are potential points of conflict and controversial issues in the region which if not managed properly can also escalate into open conflict.

“States with interests in the region need to make every effort to resolve disputes through peaceful means so that we can avoid reaching an irreversible tipping point,” Lee said.

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