NATO sends message to Russia and China
NATO Secretary General said that deepening cooperation between Russia and Belarus has negative consequences for regional stability and the defense of the alliance.
According to RIA Novosti on July 11, in a statement after the NATO Summit in Washington on July 10 (Washington time), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the deepening political and military cooperation between Russia and Belarus is believed to have negative consequences for regional stability and the defense of the alliance.
“Russia’s deepening of political and military cooperation with Belarus, including the deployment of advanced Russian military capabilities and personnel, will have negative consequences for regional stability and NATO’s defense capabilities,” the statement said.
The statement also made clear that Russia's increased cooperation with North Korea and Iran has serious implications for Euro-Atlantic security.
At a press conference after the summit, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the summit's joint statement sent China "the most serious possible message", calling on it to stop cooperating with Russia, which the alliance said "has damaged NATO's interests and reputation".
“Today’s message is the strongest NATO has ever sent to China regarding China’s contribution to the conflict in Ukraine,” the NATO Secretary General said.
In particular, NATO's final statement stated that, “China is now playing a decisive role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict through its so-called “borderless partnership”, by providing support to the Russian military-industrial complex, increasing the threat that Russia poses to its neighbors and Euro-Atlantic security”.
At the same time, NATO also stated that it “remains ready to engage constructively with China, including by ensuring mutual transparency.”
On the other hand, regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Secretary General Stoltenberg said that NATO countries have decided to establish a joint mission to provide military support to Kiev and train the Ukrainian army. According to Mr. Stoltenberg, this mission will be based in Germany, commanded by a NATO general and will involve about 700 people. Support will also be provided through the alliance's eastern centers.
Mr Stoltenberg argued that this did not make NATO part of the conflict, but “only allowed Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defence”. He also said that NATO planned to provide Ukraine with at least 40 billion euros next year to meet its defence needs. Until now, military assistance to Kiev has been coordinated by the US.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg added that the first report on the alliance's allies' military support for Ukraine is planned for 2025.