NATO recently made a bold statement accusing China of playing a crucial role in enabling Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. This accusation was a significant shift for the alliance, as China had never been officially mentioned as a concern before 2019. The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, made this accusation during the NATO summit in Washington, which was attended by 32 alliance leaders.
In the declaration approved by the leaders, it was stated that China’s support has increased the threat Russia poses to Euro-Atlantic security. By providing Russia with dual-use equipment, microelectronics, and other tools, China is essentially helping Russia build the weapons they are using to attack Ukraine. This newfound alliance between China and Russia has prompted NATO to take a stand and demand that China stop supplying Russia with crucial weapons components and technology.
This move marks a significant shift in NATO’s approach towards China, as the alliance had previously been hesitant to directly confront Beijing. However, the declaration makes it clear that China’s support for Russia will not go unnoticed, and there will be consequences for their actions. While the declaration does not specify what these consequences will be, economic sanctions could be a likely first step to show China that their actions will not be tolerated.
This development is particularly noteworthy as it signifies a shift in the geopolitical landscape, with NATO now openly calling out China for their role in enabling Russia’s aggression. The fact that this declaration was made during a summit attended by world leaders highlights the seriousness of the situation and the unity among NATO members in addressing this issue.
Overall, this move by NATO marks a significant turning point in how China is viewed on the global stage and sets a precedent for how other countries may respond to China’s actions in the future. It will be interesting to see how China reacts to these accusations and what steps they will take in response to NATO’s declaration.