Mr Kissinger lauds Volodymyr Zelensky as an “extraordinary leader” who has been wise to welcome Chinese diplomatic efforts in Ukraine. It is wrong for the leaders of Europe to give exemption on its membership.
He is deeply concerned about the confrontation between the US and China and the threat posed by Artificial Intelligence. He questions the future of Sino-Russian relations, berates the quality of political leadership in the US, expects Japan to soon become a nuclear power and praises the Indian government for its conduct of foreign policy.
1) Why Ukraine should join NATO for Europe and Russia
“What the Europeans are saying now is, in my view, insanely dangerous. Because the Europeans are saying: ‘We don’t want them in NATO, because they’re too risky. And so, we’ll kick them the hell out and Will give them the most advanced weapons. And how could it possibly work? We shouldn’t be over [the war] in a wrong way. Assuming that the outcome is the likely outcome, it will be somewhere along the line of the status quo that existed [prior to February 24, 2022], The result should be such that Ukraine remains protected by Europe and does not become an isolated state looking out only for itself.”
“If I spoke to Putin, I would tell him that he is safe with Ukraine in NATO.”
“We now have Ukraine armed to the point where it will be the best armed country and the least strategically experienced leadership in Europe. If the war ends as it probably will, Russia will have many of its advantages. With Sevastopol lost but Sevastopol retained, we may have a dissident Russia, but also a dissident Ukraine – in other words, a balance of dissensions.
“So, for the security of Europe, it is better to have Ukraine in NATO, where it cannot make national decisions on territorial claims.”
2) On the threat of a global conflict arising from the confrontation between the US and China
“We are in a classic pre-World War I situation where neither side has much margin of political concession and in which any disturbance of the balance can have catastrophic consequences.”
“Both sides have convinced themselves that the other represents a strategic threat,” he says. “We are on a path of great-power confrontation.”
“The two greatest threats to peace at this time are both of us [America and China], In the sense that we have the potential to destroy humanity.”
3) Being ready to talk to China about the war in Ukraine
“Ukrainians want ties. Zelensky has proved an exceptional leader, and this is an exercise in wisdom on his part, as he could have thought after pledging a ‘partnership without borders’ [between Russia and China]that China will never enter parallel diplomacy to NATO.”
“Ukraine is now a major state. The Chinese talk about joint relations.”
4) On the emerging threat from AI
,[China and America] There are two types of power where, historically, a military confrontation was inevitable. But due to mutually assured destruction and artificial intelligence, this is not a normal situation. We are at the beginning of a potential where machines can inflict global pandemics or other pandemics – not just nuclear, but any area of human destruction. Circumstances require responsible leaders who at least try to avoid conflict.”
5) His doubts about China’s relations with Russia
“Until the agreement between Putin and Xi at the Olympic Games, when Xi expressed his opposition to NATO expansion—I don’t think any Chinese leader had expressed a view on European development before. Xi should know that Putin will visit Ukraine. This is a serious Chinese commitment.”
“I have never met a Russian leader who has said anything nice about China. And I’ve never met a Chinese leader who has said anything nice about Russia, they are treated with a kind of disdain.”
6) Japan will become a nuclear-armed state in five years
,[On] Japan. They have a very clear vision of where they are going; They are moving towards becoming a nuclear power in five years. And they always want to be close to us. Except that I wouldn’t make their deals inconvenient for us. But they will always be concerned about the power relations between China and them. Similarly, I do not think that Japan’s intention to become a permanent member of the global multilateral system would compel them.”
7) On domestic US polarization and the lack of appeal of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden
“…a situation drawing comparisons to Watergate could lead to Civil War-like situations, and that worries me greatly. The nature of the political debate is very different from when I first came to Washington.”
“I don’t think Biden can provide the inspiration and … I’m hoping Republicans can come up with someone better, … Look, this is not a great moment in history, but the alternative is complete abandonment.” “
“…even in the Nixon era with all its animosities, there was still a degree of unity. It started to wane in every administration, but I think Trump and now Biden topped it.” Is.”
8) On the success of India’s foreign policy, and the need for closer ties between the US and India
“You know, the political leader in practice who is very close to my views is the Indian Foreign Minister.”
“I am very excited about closer ties with India. I’m wary of the anti-Chinese definition [American policy]But I am not in favor of withdrawing from Asia.”
“I agree to strengthen India militarily in relation to its conflict with China.”
“In India today, there is scope for alignment. I have a lot of respect for the way Indians conduct their foreign policy now, because it shows balance.”
read the full transcript
© 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under license. Original content can be found at www.economist.com
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