There are warnings that China is watching the Western response to the Russia-Ukraine war and looking for opportunities to take control of Taiwan.
On the 17th (local time), former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison warned in an interview on the U.S. cable news channel 'NewsNation's The Hill Sunday' that President Donald Trump's approach to negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is being 'watched' by President Xi Jinping.
Hutchison, who served as the U.S. ambassador to NATO during Trump's first term, assessed that if the West continues to show weakness toward Russia and does not impose an adequate cost on Russia for initiating the war in Ukraine, it is likely that President Xi will view it as 'the time to seize Taiwan.'
She continued, 'President Xi is watching whether the West will crumble, give up, or withdraw from Ukraine,' adding, 'If we appear weak or show signs of being shaken or give up the ability to maintain the security of the West's borders, then it will mean to President Xi that the time to initiate his long-desired goal, which is to seize Taiwan, is now.'
She emphasized, 'President Xi has already damaged Hong Kong significantly, and next he is eyeing Taiwan.'
President Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders on the 18th to discuss the outcomes of the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin that took place on the 15th. In this regard, Hutchison noted, 'Including European leaders in the meeting is a very good thing.'
She added, 'Security with European allies will be part of this negotiation,' analyzing that how to conclude the Russia-Ukraine war is an issue tied to the borders of European countries.