Russia accuses the US of destabilizing the world over Pelosi’s Taiwan trip
Russia has accused the US of “destabilizing the world” by stoking tensions over Taiwan, where the prospect of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island angers Beijing.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram: “Washington is destabilizing the world. No conflict has been resolved in recent decades, but rather many conflicts have been caused,” according to “Agence France Presse.”
For its part, the Kremlin said Pelosi’s expected visit to Taiwan was “certainly provocative and would only escalate tensions.”
Last week, Pelosi began an Asian tour that raises the level of tension between Washington and Beijing, against the backdrop of an unconfirmed visit to Taiwan.
China stressed its rejection of Pelosi’s possible visit to Taiwan, stressing that it will take all necessary measures to preserve its interests.
“The US side will bear the responsibility and pay the price if China’s sovereign security interests are affected,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said during a regular briefing.
“China’s position on Pelosi’s visit is clear and we will take all necessary measures to safeguard our interests,” the briefing said.
“We must continue the dialogue to keep East Asia as a safe area,” Chun Ying added.
On Monday, the White House condemned China’s rhetoric about Pelosi’s possible visit, vowing that the US “will not be deceived by bait or be drawn into a sword duel, and have no interest in escalating tensions with Beijing.”
“The decision to visit the self-governing island claimed by China is ultimately Pelosi’s,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stressed.
He also noted that members of Congress have visited Taiwan regularly for years.
He added that US administration officials are concerned that Beijing will use the visit as a pretext to take provocative and retaliatory steps, such as taking military action, such as launching missiles in the Taiwan Strait or around Taiwan.
