Not surprisingly, Sen. Lindsey Graham is leading the “stand up to Russia” charge among GOP Congressional hawks, stating that China has been warned about any potential military assistance to Russia during the Ukraine conflict during an interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
In reaction to allegations that China is contemplating providing deadly weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, the Republican from South Carolina stated, “If you go on the Putin train, you’re dumber than dirt.” He emphasized that if Beijing followed through, there would be severe international repercussions and a lost proposition from the outset. In an interview with Martha Raddatz on ABC’s “This Week,” he elaborated it would be like watching Titanic and then buying a ticket.
In addition, Graham called for Russia to be labeled a state sponsor of terrorism at the Munich Security Conference, which would provide America with broad legal authority to pursue states that offer help to Moscow. The Biden administration has hesitated to take such a step since it would lead to an unmanageable escalation in Ukraine.
Graham’s statement to China came after Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s caution against Beijing providing “lethal support” to Moscow. Despite longstanding pressure, the Chinese leadership has persistently failed to denounce Russia, instead emphasizing the dangers of NATO expansion.
Graham stated that he was not aware it had escalated that far until Secretary Blinken stated that he believed the Chinese were on the verge of supplying Putin with lethal weapons. Graham’s message to China was, “if you jump on the Putin train now, you’re dumber than dirt. It would be like buying a ticket on the Titanic after you saw the movie.” Avoid doing this. According to Graham, one of the worst things for the U.S.-China relationship would be for China to begin providing Putin with lethal weapons in this crime against humanity. It would alter everything, Graham said.
The senator stated that he is not concerned with “provoking” Putin into escalation but rather wants to “beat him” – a statement far beyond what the US administration has publicly articulated and one that Moscow could interpret as a declaration of war.
As for the Munich Security Conference, it has provided more indications of Western escalation. Even as Western politicians celebrate their generosity toward Ukraine, Politico reports that the country’s military services are running short on ammunition, equipment, and even personnel. From Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched the summit by urging the free world to give additional aid immediately. “We need speed,” he remarked.
Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, increased the pressure on Russia by accusing the country of “crimes against humanity” She stated that justice must be given in the interest of all known and unknown victims.
In other words, Russian authorities may be facing a second Nuremberg. This will make some people in Moscow uneasy, particularly those old enough to recall what happened to Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Miloevi and his entourage.
The picture for Asia is similarly uncertain, and Taiwan is on edge as it attempts to anticipate China’s next move. Even here, the news from Munich was unsettling. According to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, what is occurring in Europe now may occur in Asia tomorrow.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi offered no rebuttal to this story. “Taiwan is part of Chinese territory,” Wang said at the conference in response to a question regarding Beijing’s plans for the autonomous island. Taiwan “never was and never will be a country.”
Several participants had echoes of 1938 at the packed Bayerischer Hof hotel, where the event is being held. This meeting ended in the disastrous Munich Agreement, in which European nations handed the Sudetenland to Germany in a foolish attempt to preserve peace. The European Union has advanced its plans to establish a special war crimes tribunal to prosecute Russian military and political figures for war crimes.
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