Russia Accuses U.S. of Provoking Crisis Over Taiwan

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko has accused the United States of deliberately provoking a crisis in Asia by increasing military and political ties with Taiwan. In an interview with TASS news agency published on Sunday, Rudenko reiterated Moscow's support for China's position on Taiwan, claiming that Washington’s actions are undermining the "one China" principle that it officially recognizes. According to Rudenko, the U.S. is using Taiwan as a pawn to generate tensions with China, thereby advancing its own geopolitical interests at the expense of regional stability. He pointed to growing U.S. military aid to Taiwan and enhanced diplomatic contacts as evidence of this strategy, although he did not provide specifics regarding the contacts in question.

The U.S. has long been Taiwan’s most significant international backer despite its lack of formal diplomatic recognition. China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province, has consistently warned against foreign interference in the issue, while Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s claim. The U.S. provides military support to Taiwan to help it defend itself against potential Chinese aggression, with President Joe Biden’s approval of a $567 million military aid package in September 2023 being the latest example. However, Russia’s comments suggest that Moscow perceives the U.S. actions as part of a broader strategy to destabilize Asia and challenge China’s rise.

In the broader context of U.S.-China relations, Russia and China have formed a strategic partnership, with both countries aligning against what they see as American global hegemony. Since President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing in February 2022, which coincided with the launch of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the two nations have deepened their ties, declaring a "no limits" partnership. This alignment has included joint opposition to U.S. influence in Asia and a shared critique of Western-led efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically over its actions in Ukraine. In May 2023, President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping marked a "new era" in their bilateral relations, framing their partnership as a counterweight to U.S. influence and the perceived chaos it creates around the world.

As tensions over Taiwan continue to simmer, Russia’s support for China in this matter further underscores the growing geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and the Sino-Russian bloc. Both Russia and China have expressed concerns about the U.S.'s involvement in Taiwan and its broader ambitions in Asia, seeing it as a challenge to their regional dominance and sovereignty. As the situation unfolds, the U.S.'s actions in Taiwan remain a flashpoint that could exacerbate already strained relations between Washington, Beijing, and Moscow.