NATO leaders highlighted the challenges posed by Russia and China at their summit in Brussels on Monday 14 June.
“All leaders agreed that in an era of global competition, Europe and North America must stand strong together in NATO to defend our values and interests, especially at a time when authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China are challenging the rules-based order”, Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg summed up after the summit.
In their joint statement, the leaders said that “Russia’s aggressive actions pose a threat to Euro-Atlantic security” and that “China’s growing influence and international policies can present challenges that we must address together as an Alliance”.
“There has been a growing awareness in the last two years that we have new challenges. We have Russia which is not acting in a way that we had hoped for. And also China”, explained US President Joe Biden.
In particular, the leaders believe that “China’s declared ambitions and assertiveness present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order in areas of importance to Alliance security”.
They are concerned about China’s coercive policies and point to the strengthening of its military arsenal, its opacity in modernising its military apparatus and its military cooperation with Russia. China must “respect its international commitments and act responsibly within the international system, including in the space, cyber and maritime environments, consistent with its role as a great power”, the Allies appeal.
However, the leaders want the Alliance to maintain a constructive dialogue with Beijing where possible, notably on climate change or arms control.
“I don’t think anyone wants a new Cold War (with China), but we see challenges, things we can do together and opportunities”, said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The Allies are not forgetting Russia, with whom relations are “at their lowest point since the Cold War”. “We should not be naive” about Russia, which remains a “real cause for concern”, warned Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
“NATO remains committed to its dual approach to defence and dialogue”, Mr Stoltenberg said.
In their declaration, which mentions Russia 50 times, the Allies pledge to continue “to work closely together to address the full range of threats and challenges posed by Russia”. These include Russian military activities and capacity building, diversification of its nuclear arsenal and hybrid activities targeting Alliance member and partner countries.
See the statement: https://bit.ly/3vxi33z (Original version Camille-Cerise Gessant)