NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has warned that if Beijing does not change its policy on supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, China will suffer the consequences. He also commented that Beijing wants to satisfy both sides as it tries to maintain relations with its European allies while supporting Russia’s war.
The head of NATO said these things in an interview given to BBC News during his visit to Washington. Beijing’s two-pronged policy will not work in the long term, he said. He also commented that there is no sign of Russia stopping the war against Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland a waste of time and said last Friday that he would agree to a ceasefire if Ukrainian troops withdraw from four territories that Russia partially occupies and claims.
On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev will sit for peace talks tomorrow if Russia withdraws all its troops from Ukraine. However, he also commented that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not stop the war and that he will be forced to stop the war by any means.
Regarding what NATO members should do about China’s support for Russia, Stoltenberg said discussions on possible sanctions are ongoing.
He said, “China is supplying many technologies like microelectronics to Russia, the missiles made of which are being used against Ukraine.” If China does not change its policy, we should also consider the economic cost.
Several sanctions have already been imposed on China for supporting Russia. Last month, the US imposed sanctions against about 20 companies based in China and Hong Kong.
Vladimir Putin has become increasingly isolated on the world stage since Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine began in 2022. He has repeatedly said he has worked to strengthen ties with like-minded leaders as the balance of power in the West shifts.
Pointing to Iran, Beijing and North Korea, Stoltenberg said Russia is currently trying to develop relations with authoritarian leaders