NATO chief calls for close ties with Indo-Pacific partners amid Russia's alignment with N. Korea, China
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House, June 17, in Washington, after meeting with President Joe Biden. AP-Yonhap
The chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said Monday that Russia's growing alignment with North Korea, China and its other "authoritarian" friends makes it "even more important" for the transatlantic alliance to work closely with its Indo-Pacific partners.
Speaking at a forum, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also criticized China's support for Russia's defense industrial base as well as North Korea's transfer of munitions and Iran's provision of attack drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.
The remarks came as Russia President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Pyongyang on Tuesday and Wednesday on a trip likely to further strengthen military cooperation between the North and Russia.
"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 at the forum hosted by the Wilson Center.
"I have therefore invited the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea to the NATO summit in Washington next month. Together, we can uphold the international rules-based order and protect our shared values," he added.
Decrying China's support for Russia, Stoltenberg noted that Beijing is working to provide Russia with improved satellite capability and imagery, and that Russia imported from China 90 percent of its microelectronics used to produce missiles, tanks and aircraft.
"All of this enables Moscow to inflict more death and destruction on Ukraine, bolster Russia's defense industrial base and then made the impact on sanctions and export controls," he said.
He also underlined what he called the "reality that China is fueling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II" thorough its backing for Russia's defense industry.
"At the same time, it wants to maintain good relations with the West," he said. "Well, Beijing cannot have it both ways. At some point ... unless China changes its course, allies need to impose a cost."
He then emphasized that Moscow has gotten military support from Pyongyang and Tehran amid its protracted war in Ukraine.
"North Korea has delivered over 1 million artillery shells and Iran has delivered thousands of deadly Shahed drones," he said. "In exchange, Pyongyang and Tehran are receiving Russian technology and supplies to help them advance their missile and nuclear capabilities."
Putin's trip to Pyongyang has drawn keen attention due to the security implications of deepening military collaboration between the two countries. TASS, Russia's news agency. reported that Putin's visit may yield a treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow. (Yonhap)