NATO, concerned about China's role in the war in Ukraine
NATO countries will discuss with their Asia-Pacific partners China's support for Russia in the war in Ukraine before meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
One of the important moments of the day will be the press conference given by US President Joe Biden, host of the summit, after weeks of uncertainty about his state of health and his ability to face Donald Trump, his Republican rival, in the November presidential elections.
It will take place at the end of the summit, which commemorates NATO's 75th anniversary. Part of the last day will be dedicated to China.
The strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing raises "deep concerns" within the Atlantic Alliance, according to a joint statement by NATO countries adopted on Wednesday in Washington.
"China is helping" Russia in the war, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg accused at a press conference on Wednesday.
NATO accuses China of supplying Russia with dual-use civilian and military equipment, such as microprocessors, with which Moscow can "make missiles, bombs, planes and weapons," Stoltenberg said.
Hybrid activities
They will address the issue at a meeting between the 32 NATO leaders and their counterparts from Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
Beijing considers it a pretext for NATO to extend its influence in Asia. Between cyberattacks, disinformation and "hybrid activities", China remains a threat not only to the Alliance, but also to global security, according to the joint NATO statement.
Alliance leaders accused China of "increasing the threat posed by Russia to its neighbors and to Euro-Atlantic security."
China "cannot allow the largest war in recent European history to continue without damaging
their interests and reputation," they warned.
On Tuesday, Sweden asked NATO to redouble its efforts on China to ensure support from the United States, especially if Trump, who has criticized the organization, wins the election.
The Atlantic Alliance must continue to stand up to Russia, but Asia "must also be recognized as part of NATO's concerns," Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom declared this week in Washington.
China, which calls NATO accusations "smears", has refused to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has undertaken an important rapprochement with Moscow.
Later, NATO leaders will meet with the Ukrainian president, also very concerned about Chinese aid to Russia.
Especially since this week China began military maneuvers with Belarusian forces on the border with Poland, near Ukraine.
NATO leaders meeting in Washington on Tuesday unveiled a series of "strong" measures to help Ukraine.
They announced the imminent shipment of American F-16s, new air defense systems, a financial commitment of at least 40 billion euros (about 43 billion dollars) in military aid and the recognition that the country is on an "irreversible path." to be a member of NATO.
