By directly and militarily supporting this brutal and illegal war of the Russians against the Ukrainians, China will cross a line that will have consequences, said Mircea Joane, Deputy Secretary General of NATO, invited to RTL.

Xi Jinping and Vladimir PutinPhoto: Not provided / WillWest News / Profimedia

“NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, myself, the President of the United States, the President of France and other leaders are telling the Chinese that of course they have a close relationship with the Russians. But the direct and military support of this brutal and illegal war of the Russians against the Ukrainians will cross a line that will have consequences. So, we hope that the Chinese understood the message of the President of the Republic, President Biden or NATO leaders. Because it would be a very important strategic mistake. It’s one thing to help your partner, we’re not happy either, but it’s quite another to directly support, from a military point of view, an illegal war,” Joane said, according to a press release.

The Deputy Secretary General of NATO called the statements of the Chinese ambassador in Paris Lu Shai, who questioned the sovereignty of the former Soviet republics, “very disturbing”.

“I also saw President Xi Jinping speak very clearly. These are statements that contradict common sense and the logic of the international order. All the successor countries of the former Soviet Union are independent states recognized by the United Nations. They all have a point and I hope that these were just the words of the Chinese ambassador here in Paris and not the official position of Beijing,” said Mircea Joane.