In a compelling discourse at the NATO Youth Summit 2024 in Brussels on May 13, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg outlined the organization’s dual focus on immediate military support for Ukraine and the longer-term goal of rebuilding the nation’s defense and security institutions.
The role of external actors, particularly China, in enabling Russia’s continued aggression through the provision of critical components for weapons production amplifies the urgency of these efforts.
Russian weapon production enablers
Stoltenberg criticized China for its substantial support of the Russian defense sector, which includes supplying microelectronics and advanced technologies that are essential for producing missiles and drones.
“The main country that allows Russia to conduct an aggressive war against Ukraine in Europe is China. They supply critically important components for their weapons: microelectronics, advanced technologies that allow Russia to produce missiles, drones, and many other things that are key to their war against Ukraine.”
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General
This support directly contributes to the continuation of the war against Ukraine, according to the Secretary General. By continuing to supply Russia with vital military components, China, along with Iran and North Korea, significantly bolsters Russian capabilities, thereby prolonging the war in Ukraine.
He also pointed out the interconnectedness of global geopolitical dynamics, stressing that the challenges posed by China are significant not only for Asia but for European security as well.
Previously, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken criticized China for assisting Russia’s defense sector, claiming that Beijing is now the primary supplier of vital components for Russia’s assault against Ukraine.
Furthermore, US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith accused China of assisting Russia in achieving its military objectives in Ukraine, citing Beijing’s continued sales of drone technology and gunpowder components.
Seeking victory and rebuilding Ukraine
Stoltenberg emphasized that ensuring Ukraine’s victory is paramount, not only for the nation’s sovereignty but also to minimize the extensive and costly reconstruction that will follow.
He highlighted the practical and economical rationale behind providing robust defense support now, as it reduces the scale of destruction and, consequently, the burden of future rebuilding efforts.
“On the question about NATO’s role in the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. The first thing I will say is that, first of all, you need to ensure that Ukraine prevails. Without Ukraine’s triumph, reconstructing a free and independent Ukraine would be impossible. So the most immediate and important task now is to help Ukraine with military support, as NATO allies and NATO do. We need to sustain that. We need to make the support more predictable and robust, and we are going to hopefully make decisions on that, not least at the NATO Summit in July.”
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General
Stoltenberg’s statements reflect a broader strategic perspective that aligns military support with diplomatic efforts to counteract the enabling forces behind Russia’s military operations.
The implications of his remarks are profound, pointing to a strategic necessity for NATO to adapt and respond not only to direct threats but also to the broader networks that sustain aggression in Europe.
The NATO summit in Washington is upcoming.
The upcoming NATO summit in Washington on July 9–11 will focus on these issues, aiming to strengthen the alliance’s capabilities to confront modern-day challenges and to enhance support for Ukraine.
The NATO Secretary General’s remarks underscore the necessity of addressing the support networks that enable Russia’s military capabilities. This aspect is crucial because it impacts NATO’s strategic calculations and the broader security landscape of Europe.
This scenario necessitates a robust response from NATO and its allies, not just in terms of direct military support for Ukraine but also in crafting strategies to mitigate the influence of Russia’s partners.
