China 'fueling war in Europe' by backing Russia, NATO chief claims
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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg claims that China is inciting war in Europe through its cooperation with Russia in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, welcomes NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg walk before their press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, April 29, 2024. (AP)
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg accused Beijing on Sunday of exacerbating the ongoing war in Ukraine by supporting Russia, claiming that by voicing support for Moscow, China was prolonging the war.
"China says it wants to maintain good relations with the West. At the same time, however, Beijing is fueling the war in Europe. You can't have it both ways," Stoltenberg stated in an interview with the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.
Highlighting the importance of China's support for Russia, Stoltenberg said there was an increase in the sale of machine parts, microelectronics, and other technologies essential for Russia's military industry.
Despite the tensions, Stoltenberg made it clear that NATO had no plans to deploy troops to Ukraine or extend the alliance's air defense umbrella to the country. "NATO will not be a part of the conflict," he reaffirmed.
'Not too late for Ukraine to win'
Stoltenberg also called on NATO member countries to enhance their support for Ukraine, emphasizing the urgent need for more weapons and ammunition, including air defense systems and long-range weapons.
"It's not too late for Ukraine to win. We need to send more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine," he urged.
He also stressed the necessity for allies to renew their military inventories and increase the production of arms and ammunition.
A victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine would jeopardize lasting security in Europe and lead to greater global instability, he claimed.
"We must deter Russia from further aggression. A policy of appeasement towards Putin will not work," Stoltenberg concluded.
Russia-China Strategic partnership
This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping ratified a joint declaration aimed at enhancing their countries' comprehensive strategic partnership during a summit that portrayed their alliance as a stabilizing influence in an uncertain global landscape.
"Both sides firmly defend the system of international relations with the central role of the United Nations, and the world order based on international law, closely coordinated and cooperated within multilateral formats such as the UN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the G20," Xi told a press briefing.
The Chinese President emphasized that China and Russia will collaborate to make a meaningful contribution to global security and stability.
"Both sides believe that a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis is the right direction, and China's position on this issue has always been clear and consistent," he stressed.
Moreover, he stated that the lingering Cold War mentality, bloc confrontations, and power politics pose a threat to the security of all nations, emphasizing the importance of impartiality, fairness, and dedication to advancing political resolutions to sensitive matters.
"China hopes for the speedy restoration of peace and stability on the European continent and will continue to play a constructive role in this regard," Xi said.
