Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday that tensions between the US and China and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine are affecting security in the Asia-Pacific region, Reuters reported.

Anincrease in geopolitical confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region is expected, he said, adding that Singapore will try to do everything possible not to be drawn into the competition of major powers.

Deteriorating U.S.-China relations are making it almost impossible to work together on pressing global issues such as climate change, pandemics and nuclear proliferation, he said at a city-state national day rally.