China Should Bear the Cost for Supporting Putin’s War, Says NATO Chief
In an interview with the BBC, NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg asserted that China should face repercussions for its support of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine if it does not alter its stance. Stoltenberg criticized Beijing for attempting to balance its backing of Russia’s war efforts while simultaneously maintaining ties with European countries, a strategy he believes is unsustainable in the long run.
Stoltenberg’s comments come amid Russia’s relentless campaign in Ukraine. Recently, a peace summit in Switzerland saw numerous nations pledge their support for Kyiv. However, Russia dismissed the summit as futile, insisting that peace talks would only be considered if Ukraine conceded.
When questioned about potential NATO actions regarding China’s support for Russia, Stoltenberg mentioned ongoing discussions about possible sanctions. He highlighted that China is providing critical technologies, such as micro-electronics, which are essential for Russia’s missile production and weaponry used against Ukraine. Stoltenberg suggested that economic measures should be considered if China doesn’t change its approach.
Currently, China is already under some sanctions due to its support of Russia. Last month, the United States imposed restrictions on approximately 20 firms based in China and Hong Kong. Beijing has defended its dealings with Moscow, stating that it does not sell lethal arms and that it carefully regulates the export of dual-use items.
The backdrop to Stoltenberg’s remarks is a visit to Washington, coinciding with the Kremlin’s announcement that Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea, following his trip to China the previous month. Russia has become increasingly isolated since its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, prompting Putin to strengthen alliances with other authoritarian leaders. Stoltenberg noted that Russia is aligning more with nations like Iran, China, and North Korea. He revealed that North Korea has supplied Russia with artillery shells, receiving advanced missile and nuclear technology in return, thus aiding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Ahead of his meeting with US President Joe Biden, Stoltenberg also highlighted that over 20 nations are expected to meet the 2% defense spending target this year, a significant increase since the pledge was made in 2014. He emphasized that this boost in defense spending benefits both Europe and the United States, as a substantial portion of the funds is spent in America.
Stoltenberg also addressed his recent comments to the Telegraph about NATO potentially increasing its deployable warheads to deter threats from Russia and China. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized these remarks as an escalation, but Stoltenberg clarified that the statement was meant to reaffirm NATO’s status as a nuclear alliance and that any attack on a NATO member would provoke a collective response. He emphasized that NATO’s purpose is deterrence, not warfare.
Overall, Stoltenberg’s interview underscores the complexities of international relations amid ongoing conflicts and highlights the challenges NATO faces in balancing deterrence and diplomacy.
