Diplomacy, punitive sanctions only useful as ‘pre-emptive’ measures to stop wars, Zelensky says at Shangri-La Dialogue
- Asked about potential conflict across the Taiwan Strait, Zelensky offered a carefully worded response, avoiding mentioning China or its leaders
- The Ukrainian president also invoked the words of Singapore’s late founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, saying small states cannot exist without international law
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday told a global gathering of defence officials that the continuation of his country’s war with Russia showed that diplomatic overtures and sanctions were of limited use once a full-blown conflict has started.
Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue by video link, the Ukrainian leader once again sought to ask Western nations to offer arms assistance to his government rather than focus on taking punitive action against Moscow.
Asked during a question-and-answer session on how the self-ruled island of Taiwan – which Beijing views as a renegade province – should respond to the mainland’s plans for eventual reunification, Zelensky said diplomatic solutions generally were useful to pre-empt conflict.
They should not be used after millions are killed or forced to leave their homes, he said, referencing the high casualties his country has faced during the ongoing conflict.
Some observers have drawn comparisons between Ukraine and Taiwan, saying the island could one day face a similar situation of being targeted by a larger neighbour.