BRUSSELS – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Russia is “mortgaging” its future on a political and economic level with China for the support received in the war against Ukraine.
“China is propping up the Russian war economy by delivering key parts to the (Russian) defense industry and in return Moscow is mortgaging its future with Beijing,” Stoltenberg said during an interview with the British BBC.
Russia has transferred technology to Iran and North Korea in exchange for ammunition and military material, the NATO Secretary General denounced during the interview.
Axis of authoritarian powers
Stoltenberg denounced that an “alliance of authoritarian powers” is being created in reference to Iran, Russia, China and North Korea, countries that he considers to be increasingly “more and more aligned.”
Regarding the future of support for Ukraine, Stoltenberg expressed optimism about the possibilities of reaching an agreement in July that consists of the delivery of long-term financing to kyivalthough Ukraine might have to make “some kind of compromise.”
The objective for NATO is a commitment to finance Ukraine with 100 billion euros over the next five years, vital support right now and also for the reconstruction of the country once the conflict ends.
“We believe and hope that the war ends in the near future, but we need to support Ukraine for many years, to build its defenses and prevent future aggression,” he argued.
However, he noted that “in the end it will be Ukraine that decides what kind of agreements it wants.” “We have to enable them to be in a position where they can achieve an acceptable outcome at the negotiating table.”
On the other hand, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in statements to journalists within the framework of the celebration of NATO's 75th anniversary that Ukraine will become a NATO member state.
Although Blinken did not discuss the timeline for Ukraine becoming a member of NATO, he said that “our purpose at the summit is to help build a bridge to that membership.”
