British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. Picture: Retrieved from Liz Truss Twitter (file photo)
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 has resulted in a large number of civilian casualties. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned at the NATO summit on the 29th that China is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine, and it is indeed possible With the wrong conclusion and serious miscalculation, and the invasion of Taiwan would be a “catastrophic misjudgment” by China, Britain and its allies must carefully consider their response to Russia’s aggression, and ensuring Russia’s defeat is “critical”.
Speaking at a panel meeting with the Australian and Belgian prime ministers, Truss pointed out that “ensuring Russia’s defeat” is the only way to achieve lasting peace in Europe, warning: “I really feel that with China’s economic coercion and the establishment of a If they have a capable military to expand their influence, they may have the wrong idea, which could lead to a catastrophic miscalculation, such as an invasion of Taiwan.”
Some people believe that the two sides can start peace talks before the Russian army is completely expelled from Ukraine; Truss reminds that this can only lead to “pseudo-peace” and even lead to more acts of aggression. The framework of the so-called Minsk accords, which demanded a compromise in Kyiv to broker a ceasefire after Russia annexed Crimea and occupied parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014, failed to prevent a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine this year. “I would like to make a strong appeal to defeat Russia before we talk,” she said.
Truss mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategic misjudgment led to the outbreak of the Ukrainian-Russian War. Russia and China are closely cooperating, and China is expanding its military capabilities and global influence, including economic and trade coercion. Therefore, the free world must work together to assist Ensure that Taiwan is capable of self-defense, and unanimously emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The UK is committed to ensuring that Taiwan can meaningfully participate in international organizations, and is striving to strengthen economic and trade links with Taiwan. Hard power and economic security must be taken into account.
Truss pointed out that Europe’s dependence on Russia’s oil and natural gas has led Russia to judge that it can let go of its aggression against Ukraine, because it will be difficult for Europe to respond. Allies have economic and trade investment options other than China with strong advantages. “We need to learn the lesson of not becoming strategically dependent on China and making sure we have strong alternatives,” she said.
Truss’ remarks to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons of the British Parliament on the 28th clearly urged faster action to assist Taiwan with defensive weapons. She said bluntly: “We saw it before the Ukraine war, always leaning towards wishful thinking, hoping that something worse won’t happen until it’s too late.” And said: “We should have acted earlier, should have provided earlier Defensive weapons for Ukraine. We need to learn this lesson for Taiwan.”