NATO and Japan express concerns over Russia’s nuclear threats, joint Russian-Chinese military gymnasiums near Japan and North Korea’s nuclear weapons development
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged today to strengthen ties, noting that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its growing military cooperation with China have created the most tense security environment since World War II World War.
Their remarks came in a statement issued during Stoltenberg’s visit to Japan, following one in South Korea in which he urged Seoul to increase military support to Ukraine and issued similar warnings of rising tension with China.
“The world is at a historic turning point in the most serious and complex security environment since the end of World War II,” the two leaders said in their statement.
In it they also express concerns about Russia’s nuclear threats, the joint military high schools between Russia and China near Japan and the development of nuclear weapons by North Korea.
Stoltenberg told reporters that a Russian victory in Ukraine would embolden China at a time when it is building up its military, “intimidating its neighbors and threatening Taiwan.”
“This war is not only a European crisis, but a challenge to the world order,” he added.
“Beijing is watching closely and learning lessons that may influence its future decisions. What is happening today in Europe could happen tomorrow in East Asia,” he noted.
China’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to a Reuters request for comment on Stoltenberg’s comments.
Responding to similar comments made by the NATO Secretary-General during his visit to Seoul, China said yesterday, Monday, that it is a partner of the countries, not a challenger, and that it does not threaten any country’s interests or security.
As NATO consists of 30 countries in Europe and North America, Stoltenberg noted that its members are affected by global threats.
Kishida and South Korean President Yun Suk-geol were the first leaders of their countries to attend a NATO summit as observers last year.
China has previously criticized NATO’s efforts to expand its alliances in Asia. Russia, which calls its invasion of Ukraine a “special military operation,” has repeatedly called NATO enlargement a threat to its security.
In December Japan announced sweeping plans to boost its defense capabilities, changes once unthinkable for the country that will put it third behind the US and China in defense spending.
Strengthening its cooperation with NATO in areas from maritime security and arms control to cyberspace and disinformation will further help it respond to the changing strategic environment, the statement added.
The meeting came as Japan prepares to host the annual Group of Seven (G7) summit in May, where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is expected to be a major topic of discussion.
Kishida is considering visiting Kyiv in February to bolster his support for Ukraine in the conflict, according to Japanese media.
RES-EMP
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
