A senior NATO official had a very candid exchange with a Chinese diplomat over China’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has fueled war-related tensions at an international Arctic conference, Bloomberg reports.

The exchange of words between Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of the alliance’s Military Committee, and He Rulong, China’s ambassador to Iceland, followed Bauer’s speech on NATO’s role in the region at the annual Arctic Circle Assembly.

Bauer, a Dutch navy officer, said China “does not share our values ​​and is undermining the rules-based international order.”

In response, a Chinese diplomat challenged Bauer, saying, “Admiral, with all due respect, your speech and remarks are full of arrogance.”

The NATO representative did not give in and sharply responded to the Chinese diplomat.

“I have a question for you because you emphasize the principle of sovereignty and the importance of internationally recognized borders in the world,” Bauer said as conference attendees applauded him.

“Am I right, am I not? Yes. Then why is it possible that China still does not condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine?”.

China’s view of the “Ukrainian crisis” has a historical perspective, and the world must “understand the root cause,” he said, prompting laughter when he called China “a peacemaker in the world.”

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday condemned Russia’s “illegal annexations” of Ukrainian territory by a large majority after Moscow vetoed a similar text presented to the Security Council, AFP reports.

The 193-member General Assembly, which met in emergency session on Monday, adopted the resolution by 143 votes in favor, with five countries against and 35 abstentions, including China, India, Pakistan and South Africa, despite diplomatic efforts by the United States.