Thread by @ishaantharoor

In Singapore, @SecDef begins speech shouting out his Ukrainian counterpart. #SLD23

Austin is delivering what sounds almost like a valedictory speech, hailing the "historic progress" made in the region by the Biden administration #SLD23

"America’s partnerships are bringing the region closer together to help keep it free, open and secure," says @SecDef, laying out numerous initiatives across Asia where the US is buttressing regional militaries. He has not said the word "China" once. #SLD23

Never mind! He smiles and then...
PRC "continues to conduct alarming number of risky intercepts of US and allied aircraft flying lawfully in international airspace"
"We do not seek conflict or confrontation, but we will not flinch in face of coercion and bullying" #SLD23

Austin says that "conflict is not imminent nor inevitable," and calls on China to engage more seriously with the US #SLD23

Vietnamese scholar @BichTTran1 asks @SecDef that, given deepening US-Vietnam cooperation, whether "being a Communist is not a problem, but being a revisionist is." Austin has some trouble responding, points to US focus on securing Indo-Pacific openness and prosperity #SLD23

"We are not trying to create a NATO in the Indo-Pacific," says @SecDef, but welcomes European engagement in the region #SLD23

Chinese official publicly responds to Canadian defense minister @AnitaAnandMP's claim that China is "a disruptive force" in the region, says that this remark was "destructive" itself. Accuses her of operating with "assumed orders," I think (translation was a bit rough).

"The danger of catastrophe is near," says @prabowo, Indonesian defense minister. But adds that he is of the opinion that Xi and Biden are "wise leaders" and "aware of the burden on their shoulders." #SLD23

Quite remarkable. Indonesian defense minister @prabowo puts forward a Ukraine-Russia peace plan that would call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, mutual withdrawal by 15km by both parties in order to create a demilitarized zone, and referendums in disputed territory.

This seems a non-starter. @prabowo says there are two equal sides/viewpoints to every conflict, which, of course, flies in the face of the West's position and rhetoric on Russian aggression. #SLD23

.@JosepBorrellF is now speaking. He doesn't appear willing to respond directly to that striking Indonesian proposal.

Okay, here @JosepBorrellF responds: We don't want a peace which is a peace of the cemeteries, a peace of surrender, a peace of the stronger.

The question is how do we finish the war. And that is why we keep supporting Ukraine. #SLD23

A round of questions triggers a strong response from @prabowo, who insists he is not equating aggressor with the invaded. But he coolly suggests Europeans are having an "emotional" response. #SLD23

.@prabowo: "There are violations of sovereignty not only in Europe. Ask our brothers in the Middle East, ask the Africans, how many countries have invaded them?"
"We in Asia have our share of conflict and war, more bloody, more disastrous than what’s being experienced in Ukraine"

Ukrainian defense minister @oleksiireznikov says @prabowo 's plan "sounds like a Russian plan, not an Indonesian plan." #SLD23