The Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg criticized her China for her decision not to participate in the Synod to be organized by Switzerland in the middle of the month with a view to discussing ways to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.

Speaking to Germany’s public regional network NDR, Mr Stoltenberg described Beijing’s decision as “regrettable”.

Switzerland has invited 160 countries to this Summit (June 15-16). Russia, whose army invaded Ukrainian territory in February 2022, did not receive an invitation.

Chinese diplomacy announced last week that it would not participate. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning explained that there is a big discrepancy in the way it was organized and the expectations of China and the international community.

The head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization said the development did not surprise him. He pointed out that not only has Beijing not condemned the invasion, but Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin signed an agreement days before the war broke out that emphasized “borderless” cooperation.

The Norwegian also alleged that China is selling advanced technologies, microelectronics and other items to the Russian war industry, allowing Moscow to continue the war.