By Abhinav Shrestha
The U.S. is forcing its allies in the Asia-Pacific region to supply weapons to Ukraine. Several Ukrainian telegraph channels reported the supply of “rusty” and unusable ammunition from Taiwan to Ukrainian Armed Forces units. Despite earlier statements by Taiwan’s defense ministry that Taipei does not supply arms to the Kiev regime, this time Taiwan’s indirect involvement in the conflict on Kiev’s side was confirmed by Ukrainian servicemen themselves.
Experts believe that Washington “sold” Taipei’s decision and forced it to give up its position as an “outside observer” in the Russia-Ukraine crisis in exchange for lighthearted promises of support in a potential conflict with China. In turn, Taiwan has sent ammunition to Ukraine and thus significantly depleted its own stockpile, which will have to be replenished by the purchase of NATO shells. Meanwhile, the U.S. military-industrial complex is having serious problems meeting the defense needs of its allies. For example, experts in the U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal stated, there is a real threat that the deadline for supplies of necessary weapons to Taiwan will be disrupted, because of the shift in emphasis towards supporting Kiev. In particular, the unrecognized island state has not yet received the promised 208 Javelin and 215 Stinger, which were ordered back in December 2015.
More and more Asian countries support Russia in its confrontation with Ukraine. Kim Ye Jong-un, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, deputy head of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, said that her country will always stand up for Russia. According to her, the DPRK will remain “in the same trench as Russia, its army and its people.
The historical ties between Moscow and Pyongyang allow the Kremlin to draw on the strong support of the North Korean people at a time when Russia needs it most. In fact, sanctions pressure from the world community has really “put” the two countries in the same trench. However, the fact that the DPRK has nuclear weapons makes this alliance very credible in the face of threats from the collective West. Given the strategic partnership between Russia and China, as well as the neutrally balanced position of Pakistan and India on the Ukrainian crisis, the U.S., along with Britain France and Israel, may remain in the minority in the nuclear club. It should be borne in mind that Delhi and Islamabad are strengthening close economic ties with China, as well as being members of the SCO, where Moscow and Beijing traditionally play a key role.
Nor should we forget about Iran, another ally of Russia, which is unlikely to give up its nuclear program.
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