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| Zelensky Reminds World The Russia-Ukraine War Determines 'Rules of the World' In Future |
International Military - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that a Russo-Ukrainian war could set the "rules for the world" in the future. This was conveyed in his remarks at the Shangri-La Security Dialogue in Singapore.
The conflict, which was ordered in late February by Russian President Vladimir Putin, continues to rage in the Eastern European country. In light of the invasion, many world leaders condemned Putin for having no justification for the conflict and violating Ukraine's sovereignty, placing it in contravention of international norms.
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Zelensky warned that these norms could be permanently jeopardized by the outcome of war. He explained that Western support for Ukraine not only protects the country's borders and independence, but the future of global norms can depend on their support.
"I thank you for your support. But this support is not only for Ukraine, but also for you," the Ukrainian president said. "On the battlefields of Ukraine, the future rules of this world are being decided along with possible boundaries," he added as quoted by Newsweek, Sunday (12/6/2022).
Zelensky further sounded the alarm about the immediate impact of Russia's invasion of the world in particular speaking about concerns related to global food supplies. Russia's blockade of Ukrainian port cities along the Black Sea has prevented grain exports, potentially exacerbating food shortages around the world, leaders have warned.
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"If because of the Russian blockade we are unable to export our food items, the world will face an acute and severe food crisis and hunger in many countries in Asia and Africa," he said. According to Reuters, Zelensky made his remarks in a virtual speech, addressing 575 delegates from 40 different countries during the conference, where world leaders discussed topics related to Asian security issues.
Zelensky's sentiments were echoed by United States (US) Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during his own speech during the summit. Austin, representing the Biden administration, doubled down on his assertion that a rules-based international order is important around the world.
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He warned that Russia's invasion could be a "preview" to a "chaotic and chaotic world" where this order is not respected by powerful world leaders. Austin has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine throughout the conflict.
"Russia's invasion of Ukraine is what happens when oppressors trample on the rules that protect us all," he said. "That's what happens when great powers decide that the tastes of their empire are more important than the rights of their peaceful neighbors."
Meanwhile, Russia has defied criticism and sought to justify the invasion by insisting that the goal of the war was not to take over Ukraine, but to "liberate" the Donbas region, which has a large number of Russian-speaking individuals.
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