NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg has once again called on China to stop supporting Russia in its military aggression against Ukraine, threatening consequences for Beijing.
“China cannot continue to fuel the largest military conflict in Europe without this impacting Beijing’s interests and reputation,” he said in Oslo at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.
Stoltenberg stated that the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine demonstrates that “our security is multinational, it is global.”
“Iran and North Korea are providing drones, ammunition and more. And China has become a decisive enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine through its no-limits partnership and support for Russia’s defence industrial base.”
Jens Stoltenberg
Beijing has provided diplomatic and economic support to Russia since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Trade between the two countries has surged, and Moscow has circumvented Western sanctions with Beijing’s help.
In July, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he does not want China, which has an unlimited partnership with Russia, to act as a mediator, but expressed hope that Beijing would exert greater pressure on Moscow to end the war.
Meanwhile, a survey by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation and the Razumkov Center disclosed that only 22% of Ukrainians trust China as a potential mediator in possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Nearly two-thirds (62%) are unwilling to entrust such mediation to Beijing.
Stoltenberg called on allies to continue providing Ukraine with weapons in order to end the war that Russia is waging against the country.
Speaking at the joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo as part of a visit to Norway, Stoltenberg indicated that today NATO allies are meeting at the Ramstein base in Germany, “further discussing support to strengthen Ukraine’s defences, and Norway is, of course, part of that initiative.”
“All of this makes a real difference on the battlefield and saves Ukrainian lives. But Ukraine needs more military support now,” he added.
Also, the NATO Secretary-General stressed that the quickest way to end this war is to provide weapons to Ukraine.
“President Putin must realise that he cannot win on the battlefield but must accept a just and lasting peace where Ukraine prevails as a sovereign and independent nation. I call on all Allies to continue their vital support, especially in this difficult phase of the war.”
Jens Stoltenberg
Stoltenberg recalled that at the NATO summit in Washington, the allies made a decision that guaranteed support for Ukraine in the long term.
In particular, NATO is taking over the coordination of international assistance, opening a command post in Wiesbaden and creating a hub in the eastern part of the alliance to provide support to Ukraine.
“This will enhance Ukraine’s self-defence,” he stated.
“NATO Allies pledged a minimum baseline of 40 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine within the next year. And to sustain this support for the long-term, to ensure that Ukraine can defend itself,” he noted
Stoltenberg Hails Norway’s Contribution
Moreover, Stoltenberg praised Norway for its contributions to NATO’s multinational battlegroup in Lithuania, air-policing missions, and its increasing defense spending.
“Norway will reach, and actually exceed, the 2% NATO guideline on defense spending, and according to its long-term plan, it will continue to significantly raise its defense budget,” he noted.
The NATO Secretary-General also commended Norway for its support to Ukraine, including the provision of advanced air defense systems, F-16 fighter jets, and other cutting-edge military capabilities.
“Norway’s long-term commitment to Ukraine serves as an example of the vital role all Allies must play,” he added.
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