Russia’s Ukraine invasion endangers global order, warns NATO chief

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte underscored the global consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stressing the war’s impact beyond Europe and reaching into the Indo-Pacific region.

The meeting comes amid concerns over a potential halt in US aid for Ukraine as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January. Russia has been using Iranian-supplied and domestically produced long-range Shahed drones for daily strikes on Ukrainian cities. Meanwhile, North Korea has provided Russia with artillery rounds and missiles and has reportedly sent thousands of troops to join the Russo-Ukrainian war on the Russian side.

Speaking after a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on 13 November in the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Rutte warned of North Korea and Iran’s support for Russia, highlighting these partnerships as compounding the security challenges NATO faces.

“[Thanks to American leadership,] Ukraine has prevailed, and Russia has not won. Obviously, we have to do more to ensure that Ukraine can stay in the fight, push back the Russian onslaught as much as possible, and prevent Putin from succeeding in Ukraine,” Rutte said.

He noted that North Korean soldiers deployed to aid Russian forces represent “an extra threat to Ukraine, increasing Putin’s capacity for harm.” Rutte further explained that North Korea has acquired Russian missile technology, creating security risks not only for NATO’s European members but also for the mainland United States, as well as South Korea, and Japan.

Politico reported that a day earlier, on 12 November, the NATO Secretary-General addressed the security concerns stemming from Russia’s invasion after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The NATO chief noted that it is now a global issue, threatening not only “Europe but also the Indo-Pacific and North America.”

Talking to journalists in Brussels today, Rutte emphasized China’s indirect support for Russia through sanctions evasion and dual-use goods, along with Iran’s supply of drones and technology. He noted that Russian funds to Iran fuel destabilizing activities in the Middle East.

“The Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific – these are not two separate theaters, this is all getting more and more combined and what has happening in Ukraine has an impact now globally,” Rutte stressed, urging NATO allies to remain committed, increase defense production across Europe and the US, and boost spending to sustain Ukraine’s resistance.

The Voice of America says Blinken assured NATO allies that the United States remains committed to putting Ukraine “in the strongest possible position” in the remaining months of President Joe Biden’s administration. Blinken assured reporters that “every dollar” would be sent out by 20 January, Trump’s inauguration day, to provide Ukraine with critical defenses, urging US allies to share the support burden.

Both Rutte and Blinken expressed alarm over the strengthening military relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang, which Blinken described as a “two-way street” potentially boosting North Korea’s missile and nuclear capacities.

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