China must condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, speaking at the Brussels Forum of the German Marshall Fund.

Asked whether China could be a credible mediator in the war in Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg said it was “up to Ukraine to decide”.

“I really think it’s up to the Ukrainians to judge what the conditions are, what the framework is for possible discussions and negotiations.

What we have told China is of course that it must condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine. Under no circumstances should they provide support or arms to Russia. We are concerned that we see in general, that Russia and China are working more and more closely together,” the Alliance’s Secretary General added.

Regarding Ukraine’s accession to NATO, he pointed out that “in relation to this issue there are different opinions in the Alliance and of course the only way to make decisions in NATO is by unanimity”.

“Consultations are ongoing on the way forward and in relation to Ukrainian aspirations to join NATO. No one can say exactly what will be the final decision at the Vilnius Summit on this issue,” he said.

Finally, Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that “what is urgent now is for Ukraine to prevail as an independent nation, because if it does not prevail, then there is no question of membership to discuss.”