China carefully studying Ukraine war, adjusting its long-term plans for gaining control of Taiwan: CIA chief

New Delhi: China is closely studying Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine and is likely to adjust its long-term plans for gaining control of Taiwan based on the lessons it learns from the war, said Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director William J. Burns said.

Saying that China has not given up the goal of taking control of Taiwan, Burns said the Chinese leadership is trying to look carefully at what lessons they should draw from Ukraine.

The Western response to the invasion and its impact on the global economy is affecting Xi Jinping‘s calculation.

On Friday, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu expressed hope that the world will sanction China if it invades the island nation the same way the global community is now sanctioning Russia for its war on Ukraine.

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Speaking to reporters in Taipei at an event, Wu said it was important to stand with others in denouncing the invasion and sanctioning Russia and Belarus.

‘No practical evidence Russia plans to use tactical nukes’

The CIA chief also said there are no indications that Russia is preparing to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war.

“We don’t see, as an intelligence community, practical evidence at this point of Russian planning for the deployment or even potential use of tactical nuclear weapons,” Burns said.

However, he said that given the kind of saber-rattling from the Russian leadership, the US cannot take lightly those possibilities.

Russia placed nuclear forces on high alert shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special operation in Ukraine on February 24. Putin has also made thinly-veiled threats hinting at a willingness to deploy Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons.

‘Putin can’t afford to lose in Ukraine’

The Russian President had warned of “lightning fast” retaliation if the West directly intervenes in the Ukraine conflict.

Over the last few days, Russia’s state television has talked about unleashing nuclear weapons on Britain and the start of World War III.

Putin believes he cannot afford to lose in Ukraine and is determined to push ahead with the war, Burns said.

Despite facing stiff resistance from Ukraine, Putin is convinced right now that doubling down will still enable him to make progress.