“UNSTABLE” EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
In the Mandarin speech, Mr Lee noted that the external environment has become “unstable”.
“The division between the United States and China is deepening. The Taiwan question is only one of the causes. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also had an impact on the global security landscape. This has created deep hostility between Russia and other countries, especially with the United States and other NATO countries.”
These have “profound implications” for Singapore, Mr Lee said.
“I fear there will be greater geopolitical rivalry and tension between the major powers in our region. Will the Asia-Pacific see conflicts similar to what is happening in Europe? he added.
“We cannot exclude this possibility. We must therefore be psychologically prepared and remain united.
SINGAPORE’S POSITION AGAINST RUSSIA
Singapore took a “strong stance and condemned Russia” when the war in Ukraine began, Lee said.
However, he noted that while most Singaporeans understood the government’s position, some asked “Why offend Russia?” Why side with the United States? Why take the neck out?”
For Singapore, “it’s not about taking sides,” Lee said.
“We are not on the side of the United States and we are not against Russia. But we must be firm in our position and vigorously defend the fundamental principles. We cannot be ambiguous about our position. We believe that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, large or small, should be respected. These principles are existential for all nations, but especially for a small nation like Singapore,” he said.
Singapore has “constantly opposed” the “the stronger is right” approach, Mr Lee added.
For example, Singapore voted against the United States in the United Nations (UN) when the United States invaded Grenada in 1983, and “strongly opposed” the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia in 1978.
“If we don’t stand firm and take a clear stance on the Ukraine crisis, if Singapore were ever to be invaded, no one will speak up for us,” he said.
SINGAPORE “NATURALLY DIFFERENT” FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
Mr. Lee also illustrated the diversity of views among other countries when the UN voted on the resolution deploring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Among Asian countries, India abstained in the vote because its main strategic consideration is its relationship with China, he said.
With “serious friction” between the two major countries, India has “sufficient reason” to maintain friendly relations with Russia. It also buys military equipment from Russia.
China also abstained in the vote, as China views the war in Ukraine primarily through the prism of its relationship with the United States, “which is very troubled”, Lee added.
“China believes that even if it opposes Russia’s actions, the United States will not be grateful or reciprocate. Some Chinese commentators even think that the United States will refocus its efforts on China and stick together, after the United States deals with Russia. After all, some Americans have framed the Ukraine crisis as a war between democracy and autocracy.
As such, China is “even more reluctant” to jeopardize its “unlimited” strategic relationship with Russia.
And among the ASEAN nations, Vietnam and Laos abstained in the vote because they have had close ties with Russia since Soviet times, Lee said.
Other ASEAN members voted for the resolution, but did not name Russia in their statements.
“It’s understandable, because none of them are the smallest nation in ASEAN and don’t feel as vulnerable as we do,” Lee added.
As Singapore is the smallest nation in ASEAN, our interests and considerations are “naturally different” from other countries.
“That’s why we not only explicitly condemned Russia’s invasion, but we also went further by imposing our own targeted sanctions on Russia,” he said.
Mr Lee added that he feels “comforted” that most Singaporeans support the government’s stance on the war in Ukraine, “including Chinese Singaporeans who are active on Chinese-language social media”.