‘Perfectly possible’ for West to strike balance between Ukraine, Asia concerns: UK minister

A top British official has conceded that the West’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine has diluted attention paid to Asian geopolitical flashpoints, but voiced optimism that it was “perfectly possible” for a balance to be struck in the long term.

The comments by Britain’s minister for armed forces James Heappey in an interview in Singapore coincided with remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken dismissing Republican senator Josh Hawley’s claim that aiding Taiwan – rather than Ukraine – was more important to Washington’s interests.

Heappey referred to China as a “systemic competitor” and reasoned that Beijing’s rapid military build-up in recent years was not unexpected of a rising world power.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, there have been growing fears that Europe would centre much of its attention and resources on the war-torn country, neglecting its relationship with Asia.