Permitting Russia to annex Ukrainian territory without consequence could undermine the international community's credibility if China does the same in Taiwan or the Philippines, French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday.Macron delivered the remarks in his keynote speech opening the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier defense summit, where he called on countries to pursue greater independence in an era of great power rivalry.Why It MattersMacron's remarks come at a time of uncertainty for many countries caught between China—at odds with France and other traditional American allies over trade and human rights—and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose chaotic trade moves and "America First" diplomacy have sown doubts about U.S. reliability.Macron stressed that France is an Indo-Pacific power, with more than 1 million French nationals and thousands of troops stationed across its island territories. The NATO member has also stepped up its activities in the region, including the recent deployment of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which conducted drills with the Philippines.Newsweek reached out to the Chinese and Russian foreign ministries with emailed requests for comment outside of office hours.What To KnowMacron warned that the world overlooks the interconnectivity of today's "multiple crises" at its peril.On Russia's war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, he said: "I hear the narrative [...] that this is a European conflict and that we are clearly spending too much energy, too much time, and creating too much pain for the rest of the world.""Allow me to say this is a mistake," he continued, striking a resolute tone. "Because if we consider that Russia could be allowed to take a part of the territory of Ukraine without restrictions, without any constraints, without any reaction of the global order—how would you phrase what could happen in Taiwan? What will you do the day something happens in the Philippines?"A number of Western analysts have suggested that China is closely studying the international response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war with Ukraine as a model for how the world might react if Beijing moves against Taiwan—something U.S. officials have warned Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered his military to become capable of doing by 2027."What is at stake? In Ukraine, it is our common credibility to be sure that we are still able to preserve territorial integrity and sovereignty of people," Macron said.China claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to someday bring the self-governing island into the fold—by force, if necessary.Another tinderbox is the South China Sea, much of which China claims as its own despite a 2016 ruling by a Hague-based arbitral tribunal that dismissed Beijing's sweeping claims in the strategic waterway.Chinese maritime forces' expanding presence within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally—has led to dramatic standoffs, including collisions and the use of water cannons.Macron warned that the world risks dividing into two blocs, with medium powers increasingly pressured to choose sides as the U.S.-China rivalry intensifies—threatening to unravel the post-World War II global order.Facing similar geopolitical challenges, Europe and Southeast Asia could serve as models for a "coalition of independence," which he said must engage with both Washington and Beijing while resisting pressure from either superpower.Macron's stop in Singapore marks the final leg of his weeklong Asia tour, following stops in Vietnam and Indonesia.What People Are SayingZhang Xiaogang, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson, on Thursday: "We urge the relevant countries to stop ganging up and stirring up troubles in the South China Sea, and stop harming regional peace and stability."What Happens NextU.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is also in Singapore for the summit. During his speech Saturday morning, he is expected to make the case that the U.S. remains a formidable player in the Indo-Pacific.