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The 30-member NATO alliance on Thursday urged China to abandon all plans to support Russia during its “war effort” in Ukraine, urging it to instead use its “significant influence” to broker peace.
“China must not support Russian innovation either economically or militarily,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after a special summit in Brussels. “Beijing should use its significant influence over Russia and promote an immediate peaceful solution.”
A man walks past a television screen displaying an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tokyo on Thursday, February 24, 2022. As Russia intensifies its attack on Ukraine, it is getting a helping hand from China in spreading incendiary and unsubstantiated claims that the US is funding biological weapons laboratories in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, file)
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Reports have surfaced in recent weeks suggesting the US and its European allies have received intelligence that Beijing is considering providing aid to its ally as Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to seize Ukraine quickly.
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China has repeatedly asserted that it respects international law enshrined by the United Nations as well as a state’s right to sovereignty.
However, Chinese President Xi Jinping has refused to condemn Putin’s months-long invasion, which has caused more than 3.5 million refugees to flee the war-torn nation and left thousands dead on both sides.
President Biden Xi has reportedly warned of the consequences if Beijing provides material support to Moscow. And Stoltenberg on Wednesday accused China of spreading the “same lies” as Russia to justify its invasion.
China hit back at the accusation of misinformation on Thursday, saying “accusing China of spreading disinformation about Ukraine is disinformation in itself.”
“China has made positive efforts to reach a ceasefire and end the fighting early, avoid a humanitarian crisis and restore peace and stability,” the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Wang Webin told reporters.
US and NATO officials have condemned Beijing’s stance, arguing that the suggestion that the US and NATO hold talks with Russia to discuss its security concerns lends credibility to Putin’s invasion.
Front row from right, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US President Biden, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and leaders of the US-led military alliance pose for a family photo at NATO -Headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, March 24, 2022. (Brendan Smialowski, Pool via AP)
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The alliance has repeatedly accused Russia of falsely participating in diplomatic talks as NATO worked to de-escalate Russian military buildup along Ukraine’s borders months before its invasion.
NATO said Putin’s actions had changed the security reality in Europe and said it would not only strengthen its defenses on land, air and sea but also help vulnerable nations like Georgia.
“Today we agreed to do more, including cybersecurity assistance and equipment, to help Ukraine protect against biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear defenses,” Stoltenberg said Thursday. “We are determined to do everything we can to support Ukraine.”
With the growing threat to Russia from the use of internationally banned weapons, NATO will expand its support to Ukraine by providing additional resources to help detect and protect against chemical and radiological warfare.
Medical supplies and training for community decontamination will also be provided to support crisis management.
A man walks past a wall with posters depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Warsaw, Poland. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on people around the world to gather publicly on Thursday to show support for his embattled country as he prepares to address US President Biden and other NATO leaders marking the month-long anniversary of the Russian invasion gathered in Brussels. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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“One month since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO’s long-term security environment has fundamentally changed,” added the Secretary-General. “We react. But safety doesn’t come for free, and it costs more to do more.”
NATO countries have until the Madrid summit in June to present plans on how they will either meet the minimum requirements and spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense or expand existing security commitments.
Stoltenberg warned that “the use of chemical weapons will completely change the nature of the conflict”.
“It will be a flagrant violation of international law. It will have far-reaching consequences,” he added, but refrained from specifying the consequences.