NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated on Sunday that Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea will all attend the NATO summit in Washington D.C. this week. This strengthens both NATO and its Asia-Pacific allies in addressing the threat posed by China.
During an interview on the American CBS program “Face the Nation” aired on Sunday, Stoltenberg was asked about the participation of the four Asia-Pacific countries in the summit. He was questioned whether this noteworthy development indicates that while China and Russia are cooperating on the conflict in Ukraine, NATO is attempting to formulate a strategy specifically aimed at China.
Stoltenberg, who is soon to step down as NATO Secretary General, told host Robert Costa, “Yes, indeed, because the conflict in Ukraine shows how closely Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran are working together. China is a major accomplice to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.”
Discussing Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin, Stoltenberg added that they “both want NATO and the United States to fail in Ukraine.” If Russia were to succeed in Ukraine, “it would not only embolden President Putin, but also President Xi, as the Prime Minister of Japan has said, what is happening in Ukraine today could happen in Asia tomorrow.”
“Therefore, it is evident that in countering China, NATO is crucial to the United States as well,” Stoltenberg continued. “The United States is a major power, possessing something that other giants don’t have in NATO, which is over thirty friends and allies. The U.S. contributes to 25% of the world’s gross domestic product. Combined with NATO allies – these allies’ strength doubles, representing 50% of the world’s economic and military power. Hence, the U.S. is also stronger in confronting China alongside NATO.”
NATO currently has 32 member countries, with Finland and Sweden applying to join after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Stoltenberg also emphasized in Sunday’s interview that supporting Ukraine in resisting Russia remains a top priority.
Regarding the NATO summit, he said, “We are making important decisions to increase support for Ukraine, and NATO will take over the provision and coordination of security assistance to Ukraine.”