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‘Irresponsible politician’: Putin breaks silence on Pelosi’s Taiwan trip
- Russian president denounces US House speaker’s visit to Taipei as an attempt to ‘stir up trouble in the Asia-Pacific’
- Observers say the remarks are the latest sign of closer ties between Moscow and Beijing in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year
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Russian President Vladimir Putin called US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi an “irresponsible politician” and her visit to Taiwan a “thoroughly planned provocation”, offering his first comments on the crisis, which observers say has strengthened Sino-Russian ties.
In his opening speech at the Moscow Conference on International Security on Tuesday, attended by defence chiefs from 35 countries, Putin denounced the congresswoman’s trip as “another deliberate attempt to fuel the flames and stir up trouble in the Asia-Pacific” following Washington’s efforts to “draw out” the conflict in Ukraine.
“The US escapade towards Taiwan is not just a voyage by an irresponsible politician, but part of the purpose-oriented and deliberate US strategy designed to destabilise the situation and sow chaos in the region and the world,” he said.
“It is a brazen demonstration of disrespect for other countries and their own international commitments.”
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Putin’s remarks came after similar comments by Russian officials, including deputy security council chairman Dmitry Medvedev, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who accused Washington of “a desire to prove to absolutely everyone [their] impunity and display their lawlessness”.
Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister Wei Fenghe, who attended the forum virtually, reiterated Beijing’s discontent with Pelosi’s trip and all “Taiwan independence” activities.
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Another US delegation meets Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, soon after Pelosi visit
Another US delegation meets Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, soon after Pelosi visit
“The Chinese military has never been afraid of any enemy. We have the certainty and courage to defeat all the enemies approaching us, and we will safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity with our strong determination, firm will and potent capabilities,” Wei was quoted as saying.
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