NATO, which is in charge of the transatlantic military alliance, claims it has “seen evidence” suggesting that Moscow has requested lethal assistance from China.
Tuesday, March 21, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg released his annual report for 2022.
We haven’t seen any evidence that China is supplying Russia with deadly weaponry.
“But, we have observed some indications that this has been requested from Russia and is a matter that the Chinese authorities in Beijing are taking into consideration.”
Xi Jinping, the president of China, made his remarks as he landed in Russia for a high-profile meeting with Vladimir Putin.
There have been few details on the topics the two leaders will talk about, but less than a month ago, China produced a 12-point peace plan for the conflict in Ukraine.
“Our message has been that China should not provide lethal aid to Russia,” said Stoltenberg, addressing at the Nato headquarters in Brussels.
That would amount to supporting an illegal war, which would only serve to prolong the conflict, as well as the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to him, the two countries are becoming “closer and closer” as evidenced by the two presidents’ meeting in Moscow.
When asked about the Chinese peace plan by a reporter, Mr. Stoltenberg responded, “It is up to Ukraine to decide what are acceptable conditions for any peaceful solution. China needs to start understanding Ukraine’s perspective and engage with President Zelensky directly if it wants to be serious about peace.”
We must keep in mind that China has not been able to denounce Russia’s unlawful assault on Ukraine.
Having said that, I will of course support any effort or strategy that can result in a fair and lasting peace.
The necessity of nuclear safety and the protection of civilians, as well as the underpinning importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, are only a few of the excellent characteristics and components of China’s peace proposal that I embrace.
