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On the last day of his high-stakes trip to Asia, President Joe Biden called on Japan’s international leaders to do more to stop Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said there would be no change in “strategic uncertainty” over Taiwan a day after disappointed China when he suggested that the United States could send troops to the region.
“This is more than just a European issue. This is a global issue, “Biden said of the war between Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, along with the leaders of Japan, India and Australia.
In his speech, Biden described the war in Eastern Europe as a “dark hour” in history.
The US military will protect Taiwan, “IF THIS HAPPENS,” Biden said.
“We are in a dark hour in our common history,” he said. “Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine has caused a humanitarian catastrophe and innocent civilians have been killed in the streets, and millions of refugees have been internally displaced and in exile.”
US President Joe Biden, right, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the summit of the four leaders at Kantei Palace on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
He added: “The world has to deal with this and we are.”
WHAT DO BIDEN TAIWAN’S COMMENTS MEAN ABOUT CHINA AND THE US
Biden did not specifically name any of the countries present at the summit, but his comments appear to be aimed at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as India has failed to impose any sanctions on Russia.
The war between Russia and Ukraine is taking place at a time when tensions between China and neighboring Taiwan continue to rise, and experts say China may consider military action.
US President Joe Biden, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attend the Japan-US-Australia-India Scholarship Event in Tokyo, Tuesday, May 24, 2022 (Yuichi Yamazaki / Pool Photo via AP)
Biden was asked by a group of reporters at the summit if he supported the comments he made on Monday that the United States was still considering sending troops near Taiwan to stop a potential Chinese invasion, sparking criticism from the latter.
“No,” Biden said, Reuters reported. “Politics hasn’t changed at all. That’s what I said when I made my statement yesterday.”
BYDEN’S NEW INDO-PACIFIC ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK FOR PROSPERITY IS STRIVING TO LEVER BIDEN’S FIELD, TO COMPLETE PEACE
On Monday, Biden was directly asked, given US intervention in Ukraine, whether he would intervene in a potential conflict between China and Taiwan.
Leaders of the Quadratic Security Dialogue (Quad) from left to right, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo in the entrance hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Japan. Japan, Tuesday, May 24, 2022 (Sadayuki Goto / Kyodo News via AP)
“Are you ready to join the military to protect Taiwan if that happens?” Biden was specifically asked during a news conference.
“Yes,” Biden replied. “This is the commitment we made.”
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An initial comment on Monday drew a backlash from Biden’s opponents and Beijing officials, some of whom suggested he was wrong.
A potential conflict in the East China Sea was not on the agenda of the summit.
President Biden returns to Washington on Tuesday.
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