Nato chief warns of Moscow"s reliance on Beijing amid tensions
- Jens Stoltenberg warns of Russia's growing dependence on China since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
- He describes an emerging alliance between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, with China as a key supporter.
- Stoltenberg concludes that this dependence could have serious consequences for Russia's future.
Jens Stoltenberg, the outgoing NATO secretary-general, has expressed concerns about Russia's increasing dependence on China amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He highlighted that President Putin is forging an authoritarian alliance with China, Iran, and North Korea, which is becoming more cohesive since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Stoltenberg emphasized that this relationship is not without costs for Russia, as it 'mortgages its future' to Beijing. He described China as the 'decisive enabler' of Putin's regime, suggesting that this reliance could have significant implications for Russia's sovereignty and future geopolitical standing. The alignment of these nations raises alarms about a potential anti-Western axis that could challenge Western interests globally. Stoltenberg's remarks underscore the shifting dynamics in international relations, particularly as authoritarian regimes seek to bolster their positions against Western influence.