Stoltenberg Calls on NATO to Impose Sanctions

NATO member states should consider the possibility of imposing anti-China sanctions if Beijing does not change its stance on the Ukrainian conflict. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a broadcast on CNN.

“I am fully confident that NATO allies should discuss the imposition of economic sanctions or restrictions if China does not cease to support Russia,” he said.

The NATO chief emphasized that Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to create the impression that his country is not in the forefront of this conflict. Moreover, according to Stoltenberg, China is assisting Russia in developing its “military economy.”

He stated that China cannot simultaneously “maintain normal trade relations” with Europe while also “contributing to the conflict” in Ukraine. Western countries have repeatedly attempted to accuse China of supporting Russia.

On June 18, the official spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, Lin Qiang, in response to warnings about assistance to Russia, stated that NATO should be considered a remnant that needs to reassess its own existence. Lin Qiang reminded that Beijing advocates for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.