NATO is registering “some indications” that China may be planning to support Russia in its war in Ukraine, the alliance’s secretary general warned Wednesday, urging Beijing to refrain from doing what would be a violation of international law.
Jens Stoltenberg also mentioned in an interview with The Associated Press (AP) that the Atlantic Alliance, although not involved in the war, will support Ukraine “for as long as necessary.”
Asked if NATO had any indication that China might be willing to provide weapons or other support to Russia’s war, Stoltenberg added: “We’re seeing some indications that they may be planning to do so.”
“And, of course, NATO allies, the United States, warn against this, because this should not happen. China should not support Russia’s illegal war,” he added.
Stoltenberg stressed that potential Chinese assistance to Moscow would mean providing “support [direto] to a gross violation of international law and, of course, [como] a member of the UN Security Council, China should in no way support the violation of the UN Charter or international law.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin received Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Thursday, raising fears in the West that Beijing may be preparing to offer Moscow stronger support in a war that began a year ago.
China has openly refused to criticize the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while spreading Moscow’s claim that the US and NATO are to blame for the Kremlin’s provocation.
This week, China, Russia and South Africa are holding naval exercises in the Indian Ocean.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed that any Chinese involvement in the Kremlin’s military actions would be a “serious problem.”
Relations between China and the US are under serious strain over Taiwan and other issues, most recently over Chinese balloons flying over US soil.
Stoltenberg spoke to the AP in Warsaw following a meeting of nine members of NATO’s eastern flank with US President Joe Biden on security in the region.
The head of the Atlantic Alliance stressed that while NATO is “not part” of the conflict in Ukraine, its mission is to “guarantee the victory of Ukraine” and “to prevent this war from going beyond Ukraine and becoming a full-fledged war.” .right between Russia and NATO.”
If President Putin were to win in Ukraine, it would be “a tragedy for Ukrainians,” Stoltenberg stressed, adding that it would also be “dangerous for everyone” because “all authoritarian leaders would receive a signal that when they use military power, they get what they want.”
The military offensive launched by Russia on February 24, 2022 in Ukraine has so far caused the flight of more than 14 million people – 6.5 million internally displaced people and more than eight million to European countries – according to the latest UN figures. which classifies this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
At the moment, at least 17.7 million Ukrainians are in need of humanitarian assistance, and 9.3 million are in need of food aid and housing.
The Russian invasion, justified by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security, was condemned by the international community at large, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and imposing political and economic sanctions on Russia.
The UN has presented as confirmed 7,199 civilian deaths and 11,756 wounded since the start of the war, emphasizing that these figures are much lower than the real ones.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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