NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warns that the West’s enemies are working more closely together as an “alliance of authoritarian powers”, including Russia, Iran and China.
He described the growing ties between those three countries as well as North Korea as efforts to undermine Western democracies in a world that has become “much more dangerous.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, shook hands last October at a summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Stoltenberg’s warnings came as two former defense ministers argued Britain had failed to prepare for war amid fears of a conflict with Russia.
Stoltenberg told the BBC today that he hoped the Nato allies would agree a long-term funding deal for Ukraine by July – but indicated that Ukraine may have to make some kind of compromise.
Speaking as Nato celebrates its 75th anniversary, Mr Stoltenberg – head of the organization for the past 10 years – said the world was now “much more dangerous, much more unpredictable” and “much more violent”.
And he warned of what he called an “authoritarian” alliance that provides each other with “increasingly aligned” practical support.
Mr. Stoltenberg said “China is supporting the Russian war economy, delivering key components to the defense industry, and in return Moscow is investing its future in Beijing.”
He also accused Russia of giving technology to Iran and North Korea in exchange for ammunition and other military supplies.
He insisted: “Even if we believe and hope that the war will end in the near future, we must support Ukraine for many years, build up its defenses to prevent future aggression.”
But he also warned: “At the end of the day, Ukraine has to decide what kind of compromises it is willing to make.”
“We have to enable them to put themselves in a position where they will actually achieve an acceptable outcome around the negotiating table.”
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