Committee of Supply 2022 debate, Day 2: Vivian Balakrishnan on Ukraine crisis, COVID-19 and ties with US and China
ASEAN will soon issue a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan revealed in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 3). He said another three Singaporeans have been evacuated, leaving six still in the country a week after Russia invaded. Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore will continue to try to get humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. In his speech, he also spoke about how Singapore supported its citizens abroad as well as other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Touching on Singapore's ties with Malaysia, he said the relationship remains close and has “probably even been strengthened by our shared experience of COVID-19”. Dr Balakrishnan also said it is in Singapore’s interests to continue to foster stronger ties with the United States and China. However, it will continue to make decisions based on its long-term national interests, making it clear to both powers that it will “not be a proxy vassal state or cat’s paw" of any country.
ASEAN will soon issue a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan revealed in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 3). He said another three Singaporeans have been evacuated, leaving six still in the country a week after Russia invaded. Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore will continue to try to get humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. In his speech, he also spoke about how Singapore supported its citizens abroad as well as other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Touching on Singapore's ties with Malaysia, he said the relationship remains close and has “probably even been strengthened by our shared experience of COVID-19”. Dr Balakrishnan also said it is in Singapore’s interests to continue to foster stronger ties with the United States and China. However, it will continue to make decisions based on its long-term national interests, making it clear to both powers that it will “not be a proxy vassal state or cat’s paw" of any country.
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