Henry Kissinger warns war between US and China would be a ‘threat to human survival’
More under this adHenry Kissinger has seemingly had a change of heart about Ukraine joining NATO and issues a warning to the US and China.
Henry Kissinger has softened his stance on Ukraine joining NATO and now supports the idea. He spoke via video link at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday 17 December.
Discover our latest podcast
Ukraine could join NATO... And Russia
Kissinger said that Ukraine's membership of the organisation could be an 'appropriate outcome' of Russia’s invasion. He added:
More under this adMore under this adThe idea of a neutral Ukraine under these conditions is no longer meaningful.
Not only that, he said that Russia should also be offered the opportunity to rejoin the international system in the future too. He recognised:
More under this adMore under this adThis may seem very hollow to nations that have been under Russian pressure for much of the Cold War period.More under this adMore under this ad
Russia isn't Kissinger's main concern
Despite this, he warned that it is vital to avoid an escalation of direct conflict between Russia and the West due to the former feeling that the war had become 'against Russia itself.'
He believes that the US and China need to take steps to improve their relationship and consider the risks of conflict between two of the world's biggest economies that possess nuclear weapons and are working on artificial intelligence capabilities. He said:
More under this adMore under this adEach side needs to consider for itself how the threat to human survival of the destructiveness of weapons, coupled with making them almost conscious in their application, can be dealt with.
Read more:
⋙ Henry Kissinger warns the US is 'at the edge of war' as China sends troops to Russia
⋙ Henry Kissinger warns the US about an ‘endless confrontation’ with China
⋙ Henry Kissinger warns of war: 'China and the USA are capable of destroying humanity'
Thus, he believes negotiation is central to solving the conflict in Ukraine:
So this is why I believe in dialogue with Russia while the war continues, an end of fighting when the prewar line is reached, and a continuing process of discussion by Europe, America and at that point Russia ... while the conditions of sanctions and other pressures will be maintained until a final settlement is reached.More under this adMore under this ad
I believe this is the way to prevent the war from escalating.
Sources used:
- Bloomberg: 'Kissinger Sheds Resistance to Ukraine Joining NATO'
- CNBC: 'Kissinger backs Ukraine's NATO membership, says Russia needs the opportunity to rejoin international system'