China support for Russia in Ukraine compels Nato to seek Asian partnerships: top official

Beijing’s position said to have intensified largest armed conflict in Europe since second world war, requiring alliance to ‘impose a cost’

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Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s visit to Washington on Monday comes a month before the transatlantic security alliance holds a summit in the American capital. Photo: Reuters

Khushboo Razdanin Washington

Published: 4:20am, 18 Jun 2024Updated: 4:58pm, 18 Jun 2024

China’s support for Russia’s efforts in Ukraine has made it necessary for Nato to forge global partnerships, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, and significantly ramp up defence spending, the transatlantic security alliance’s top official said on Monday.

The position adopted by Beijing has intensified the largest armed conflict in Europe since the end of the second world war, according to Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, requiring the allies to act and “impose a cost”.

“The growing alignment between Russia and its authoritarian friends in Asia makes it even more important that we work closely with our friends in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Stoltenberg, who was speaking during a visit to Washington, previewed a stance Nato leaders are expected to take at their summit in the American capital from July 9 to 11.

“Publicly, President Xi [Jinping] has tried to create the impression that he’s taking a back seat in this conflict to avoid sanctions and keep trade flowing,” said Stoltenberg of the Chinese leader in remarks at the Wilson Centre, a think tank.