USA (Washington Insider Magazine)— NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that China should face repercussions for its support of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine unless it changes its behavior. In an interview with the BBC during his visit to Washington, Stoltenberg criticized Beijing for attempting to balance its support for Russia while maintaining ties with European allies. He remarked, “This cannot work in the long run.”
Stoltenberg’s comments come amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, with Russia showing no signs of easing its military aggression. At a peace summit in Switzerland over the weekend, numerous countries committed to supporting Kyiv, but Russia dismissed the initiative as futile, insisting it would only engage in peace talks if Ukraine surrendered.
When asked about potential actions NATO members might take regarding China’s backing of Russia, Stoltenberg highlighted an “ongoing conversation” about possible sanctions. He pointed out that China is sharing crucial technologies, such as microelectronics, which are essential for Russia’s missile and weapon production used against Ukraine. He suggested that if China does not alter its actions, there should be considerations for imposing economic costs.
China is already facing some sanctions for its support of Russia; last month, the U.S. announced restrictions targeting approximately 20 firms in China and Hong Kong. In defense of its business dealings with Moscow, China has stated that it is not providing lethal arms and is managing the export of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations.
Stoltenberg’s remarks coincide with President Vladimir Putin’s confirmed visit to North Korea, following his recent trip to China. Since the onset of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has become increasingly isolated globally. Stoltenberg noted that Russia is increasingly aligning with authoritarian regimes, including Iran and North Korea, which have provided military support to Russia in its conflict.
Ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Stoltenberg announced that more than 20 NATO nations are expected to meet the alliance’s defense spending target of 2% this year, marking the highest compliance since the target was established in 2014. He emphasized that this increase benefits both Europe and the U.S., as much of the additional spending occurs within the United States.
In response to discussions about potentially increasing the number of deployable warheads as a deterrent against threats from Russia and China, Stoltenberg asserted that NATO is fundamentally a nuclear alliance. He reiterated that any attack on a NATO member would elicit a unified response from the alliance, stating, “The purpose of NATO is not to fight the war; the purpose is to prevent the war.”
