Rudenko cautions about a possible second Ukraine scenario in the Asia-Pacific
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko has voiced a stark warning about what he describes as a Western effort to establish a second Ukraine scenario in the Asia-Pacific region. He contends that the United States has appointed Taiwan to play a central role in this plan, a move he says would heighten tensions across the region. The assertion was reported by RTVI and reflects a broader fear among Moscow of what it sees as deliberate Western attempts to redraw security and influence maps in Asia beyond Ukraine. Rudenko argues that Asian states can clearly see the root causes of Ukraine related turmoil and fear this same pattern might be replicated in their own waters and skies. The deputy minister stresses that Washington appears keen to craft schemes aimed at surrounding Beijing with actions that would provoke a crisis around Taiwan, a strategy he believes could provoke a regional escalation. He notes that many Asian governments are acutely aware of the potential consequences of such moves for their own economic and political stability. The concern, he says, is that the West may seek to compensate for diminishing capital by drawing on the natural resources and labor potential of East and Southeast Asia, a shift that could intensify competition and mistrust in the region. The comments come as Beijing and Washington engage in a delicate, high-stakes balance of diplomacy, trade, and security competition, with Taipei as a flashpoint in the broader strategic rivalry. Rudenko frames these developments as part of a long-standing pattern in Western policy, warning that recolonization fears are not only a distant historical memory but a present concern for many Asia-Pacific countries. He argues that such fears drive a defensive posture among regional actors and push them to seek diversified partnerships and resilience against external pressures. The Russian official connects these discussions to a wider narrative about economic decoupling, resource security, and strategic autonomy in a rapidly evolving global order. The reportage emphasizes the potential implications for regional stability if external powers continue to pursue antagonistic moves around Taiwan and similar flashpoints, urging careful assessment of risks and realignment of regional diplomacy. The broader takeaway highlighted by Rudenko is that Asia-Pacific states are watching closely and weighing how to safeguard their interests in a world where great power competition is increasingly centered on technology, energy, and strategic alliances. The discourse also reflects Moscow’s concern about Western perceptions and policy choices that could inflame tensions rather than resolve underlying disputes. In related developments, it has been reported that Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, is planning a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen for April 5. This forthcoming engagement is cited as indicative of the ongoing political stagecraft surrounding Taiwan and the broader regional security architecture, a topic that continues to generate extensive discussion among policymakers, analysts, and regional observers. Where the debate goes from here depends on multiple factors, including diplomatic signals, economic interdependencies, and the resilience of regional security frameworks, all of which are in flux as actors reassess risk, deterrence, and cooperation options in the Asia-Pacific context. (RTVI)