China-Taiwan Conflict Next If Putin Succeeds In Ukraine: Garry Kasparov

Russian chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov said that the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war is part of a larger global conflict. Speaking to India Today, Kasparov said, "This is about global security infrastructure. If Putin succeeds, next is China-Taiwan."

China considers Taiwan to be a part of it and has resorted to flying fighter jets over Taiwan and Taiwan-controlled islands over the past year giving rise to fears that China could take the island by force.

Kasparov said that Russian president Vladimir Putin had been preparing for an invasion of Ukraine for a long time going by his speeches over the years.

"Back in 2007, Putin had talked about spheres of influence. He wanted the world to be divided in the fashion of the past where big countries dictated to smaller countries how to behave," Kasparov said.

Kasparov added that European countries ignored Putin's words and actions which has led to the invasion. "It is a war of Europe's own doing. They have been allowing Putin to grow to a level where he believed that he was invincible and he was emboldened to attack Ukraine," he said.

The chess grandmaster added that Putin has been shocked by Ukraine's resistance and has seen his support erode in Russia. "It's a slow process but it is an erosion of Putin's powers. Putin's weakening position in Russia depends on his geopolitical weakness that is showing in Ukraine," he said.

Kasparov called for isolating Russia and said, "All countries that have condemned Putin's actions must withdraw their ambassadors from Russia. Minimising, not cutting, their diplomatic ties. They should also kick Russia out of international organisations like Interpol."