Foreign Affairs Minister updates Parliament on Singaporeans in Ukraine and diplomatic initiatives
SINGAPORE: On Thursday (Mar 3), Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced that three additional Singaporeans have been evacuated from Ukraine, leaving six citizens remaining in the country. Earlier, he indicated that at least nine Singaporeans were present in Ukraine, distributed across various cities.
During a Committee of Supply debate in Parliament regarding his ministry, Dr. Balakrishnan mentioned that ASEAN would soon release a statement calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Ukraine. He stated, “We are continuing our efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine while monitoring the evacuation of Singaporeans in the region.”
He also noted the recent vote by the United Nations General Assembly, which overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding that Russia “immediately” withdraw from Ukraine. “The ongoing developments in Ukraine serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by smaller states when confronted by larger, more powerful adversaries,” the minister emphasized. “We must take a firm stance against actions that violate another country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity—this is relevant for all nations, including our own. In critical situations, smaller countries like Singapore must be prepared to defend ourselves and should avoid getting entangled in the geopolitical strategies of larger powers. While we do not take sides, we firmly uphold existential principles.”
Support During the Pandemic Dr. Balakrishnan highlighted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MFA) efforts to assist both Singaporeans and other nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that the ministry has successfully repatriated over 4,600 Singaporeans from overseas since the pandemic’s onset in 2020. He praised the dedication of MFA personnel, noting that “over 300 MFA officers have served Singapore and our overseas missions throughout this period, and I am proud to report that not a single officer has requested to leave their post due to pandemic-related risks.”
He revealed that approximately 40 MFA officers abroad and more than 150 foreign employees at overseas missions contracted COVID-19 “despite our best efforts and health precautions.” Dr. Balakrishnan affirmed that COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic the world encounters and reiterated Singapore’s commitment to working with the international community, including the World Health Organization, to strengthen global health infrastructure and enhance pandemic readiness.
He pointed out Singapore’s contributions to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment and the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, explaining, “We donated our entitlements to our neighboring countries and quickly responded to urgent medical needs by sending supplies.” This included over 500 tonnes of liquid oxygen to Indonesia, 120,000 vaccine doses to Batam and the Riau Islands, as well as 100,000 doses to Malaysia and 200,000 doses to Brunei. Additionally, Singapore provided 256 oxygen cylinders to assist India during the peak of its second wave last April.
Relations with Malaysia Dr. Balakrishnan reaffirmed the “very close” relationship Singapore shares with Malaysia, suggesting that it has even strengthened due to their shared experiences during the pandemic. He mentioned that bilateral engagements continued throughout the crisis, both informally and formally. “In times of great need, we have been there for each other,” he stated, adding that both countries ensured uninterrupted supply chains even during the depths of the crisis.
Singapore and Malaysia have worked collaboratively to restore connectivity, launching vaccinated travel lanes for both land and air travel in November last year. Dr. Balakrishnan expressed optimism about gradually expanding cross-border travel, stating, “We look forward to safely returning to pre-pandemic levels.”
Strengthening Ties with the US and China Regarding Singapore’s relations with the United States and China, Dr. Balakrishnan explained, “It is in Singapore’s interest to foster stronger ties with both the US and China to be a consistent and reliable partner for the long term.” He asserted that Singapore will continue engaging both powers through diplomacy grounded in fundamental principles, including adherence to international law and peaceful dispute resolution.
“However, we will make decisions based on our long-term national interests and will not serve as a proxy or vassal state for either side,” he added. Dr. Balakrishnan emphasized Singapore’s commitment to standing up for its interests, being straightforward, consistent, reliable, and trustworthy.
He noted that Singapore has “spared no effort” to bolster the rules-based multilateral order, ensuring it provides a platform to protect the country’s interests. For example, Singapore collaborated with a cross-regional group of countries to establish the Forum of Small States (FOSS), which will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year.
“In today’s charged geopolitical context, it is even more crucial for small states to advocate for a stronger United Nations and a robust multilateral system that considers the interests of all countries,” he concluded.
