Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko stated in an interview with TASS news agency that the United States is leveraging Taiwan to instigate a significant crisis in Asia. He emphasized Moscow’s support for China‘s position on Taiwan.

Rudenko remarked that Washington is enhancing military and political ties with Taipei, contrary to the ‘one China’ principle it acknowledges, all under the pretext of preserving the ‘status quo’ while increasing arms deliveries.

He asserted that the apparent U.S. involvement in regional matters aims to provoke the People’s Republic of China and create a crisis in Asia that serves American interests.

The report did not specify any particular interactions that Rudenko was alluding to.

China considers Taiwan, which operates as a democracy, to be part of its territory, a claim that is firmly rejected by Taiwan’s government. The United States remains Taiwan’s primary international supporter and arms provider, despite not having formal diplomatic relations.

The U.S. State Department did not provide an immediate comment regarding Rudenko’s statements after business hours.

In September, President Joe Biden authorized $567 million in military assistance for Taiwan. In response, Russia affirmed its support for China on Asian matters, including criticism of the U.S. efforts to expand its influence and what it termed “deliberate attempts” to escalate tensions surrounding Taiwan.

In February 2022, China and Russia announced a “no limits” partnership during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing, just prior to his initiation of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in the most lethal land conflict in Europe since World War II.

In May of this year, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping committed to a “new era” of collaboration between the two leading adversaries of the United States, portraying it as an aggressive Cold War power that is creating disorder globally.