China was a decisive factor in Russia’s war

A renewed commitment to Ukraine was the focus of the NATO summit in Washington to celebrate the alliance’s 75th anniversary. “Putin cannot divide us. He cannot outlast us. He cannot weaken us,” said White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, adding: “And Ukraine, not Russia, will win this war.”

Ukraine is not yet a NATO member and the official statement said the alliance would continue to support Ukraine “on its irreversible path towards full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “The work we are doing together now will ensure that when the time is right, Ukraine can join without delay. It is not a question of if, but when.”

In the coming days, NATO will announce a new military command in Germany, headed by a three-star general, to train and equip Ukrainian troops. A senior representative in Kyiv will be responsible for deepening Ukraine’s relations with the alliance. A communiqué says the allies intend to provide Ukraine with at least 40 billion euros in military aid next year.

NATO members also had harsh words for China, calling it an enabler of Russia. “China supplies dual-use equipment, microelectronics and many other tools that enable Russia to build missiles, bombs, planes and weapons with which it is attacking Ukraine,” he said. Stoltenberg said this was an important message to China, as all NATO members agree with this view that China is an enabler of Russia.

China called the NATO statement full of lies. “The statement from the NATO summit in Washington is full of Cold War mentality and aggressive rhetoric, and the China-related content is full of provocations, lies, incitement and slander,” said a spokesman for the Chinese mission to the European Union.

Biden, currently battling supporters and opponents in the presidential race, hosted NATO partners and allies for a dinner at the White House, saying it was time to celebrate what he called “the greatest alliance the world has ever seen.”