Henry Kissinger warns war between US and China would be a ‘threat to human survival’

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.

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:

The 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:

This may seem very hollow to nations that have been under Russian pressure for much of the Cold War period.

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:

Each 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:

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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.

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'