Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (File photo) Photo: Dazhi Image/Archyde.com
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a special speech at the “Shangri-La Dialogue” via video link yesterday (11) that the Russian-Ukrainian war showed that in the event of a full-scale war, diplomatic solutions and sanctions have limited effect.
The Asian Security Conference, known as the “Shangri-La Dialogue”, was held in Singapore from the 10th to the 12th. A reporter at the scene asked Zelensky, “China seeks to take Taiwan by force if necessary. How should Taiwan respond?” Zelensky responded that diplomatic solutions are usually useful in preventing conflicts, “but not when there are hundreds of After thousands of people lost their lives or were forced to flee their homes.” And Zelensky was referring to the situation facing Ukraine today.
Zelensky mentioned, “We cannot leave a country at the mercy of another country, which is stronger financially, territorially and equipped; therefore, if there is a diplomatic solution, we need to use it, but it must be pre-emptive preventive measures, not after the outbreak of war, after the start of hostilities.”
Zelensky did not directly mention China or Taiwan in his response, and avoided mentioning the Chinese leader by name. Wars generally benefit only certain political leaders, those who are ambitious and unhappy with the status quo, he said. Zelensky also quoted Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s famous words in his speech, “If there is no international law, the big fish will eat the small fish, and the small fish will eat shrimp, and then we may not exist.”
In addition, according to a Archyde.com report, Ukraine is trying to push the Russian army out of the area it held in the early days of the war and resist Russian onslaught in eastern Ukraine, especially around Sievierodonetsk. Zelensky delivered a video speech from an undisclosed location in the capital Kyiv, stressing the help that Western and Asian allies have given Ukraine so far, saying that it is very important that aid from various countries should not be slackened. “I appreciate your help, but not just for Ukraine, but for yourself,” he said. “On the battlefield in Ukraine, the future rules of the world, and possibly borders, will be decided together.”
Zelensky went on to point out that Russia’s blockade of ports in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, preventing Ukrainian grain from being exported to global markets, is not only hurting Ukrainians, but the world as well. Zelensky said, “If we cannot export food because of the Russian blockade, the world will face an urgent and severe food crisis, and famine may occur in many countries in Asia and Africa.” Zelensky attributed the surge in commodity prices directly to the Because of Russia’s actions, it said that Russia first blocked energy, causing energy prices to soar, and now it has an impact on food.
Addressing 575 delegates from 40 countries, Zelensky said Ukrainian troops had no intention of invading Russian territory. “Remember, the war is on our soil. Ukrainians are dying and we have no intention of stepping on Russian soil,” he said. In addition, Ukraine’s ambassador to Singapore, Kateryna Zelenko, stressed the urgency of providing additional aid , “We know it’s going to take time, but we’re running out of time.”