Nato chief warns of growing ties between Russia and China
- Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Nato was watching ‘the increased and stronger relationship between China and Russia’
- Stoltenberg said the countries were conducting military exercises together, as well as naval and air patrols, and that Beijing was watching the war in Ukraine closely
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned on Friday about growing ties between China and Russia, urging countries that believe in “democracy and freedom” to stand together to counter authoritarian powers.
After Russia sent troops into Ukraine, China sought to position itself as neutral but at the same time deepened ties with Moscow, and has not condemned the invasion.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Stoltenberg said Nato was “following closely the increased and stronger relationship between China and Russia”.
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Russia is ‘launching new offensives’ in Ukraine, says Nato chief
The countries were conducting military exercises together, as well as naval and air patrols, he said.
“When authoritarian powers are coming closer and working more closely together, it’s even more important that all of us that believe in democracy and freedom stand together in Nato, and with our partners throughout the world,” he said.
Stoltenberg said that Beijing was watching the war in Ukraine closely.
“If President [Vladimir] Putin wins there, it will impact the calculations and decisions they will make in Beijing,” he said.
