Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Beijing Olympics on Friday. In a show of unity against the West, the two leaders issued a call for a halt to NATO expansion, a key demand in security proposals Putin recently presented to the US.
“The sides oppose further enlargement of NATO and call on the North Atlantic Alliance to abandon its ideologized cold war approaches, to respect the sovereignty, security and interests of other countries, the diversity of their civilizational, cultural and historical backgrounds, and to exercise a fair and objective attitude towards the peaceful development of other States,” the two leaders said in a joint statement.
The fact that Xi is joining Putin in the call is not a surprise. In 2020, NATO issued a report that identified China as one of the top “threats” facing the North Atlantic military alliance. The report called for NATO to boost ties with countries in the Asia Pacific, including Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
Putin and Xi said they were both “seriously concerned” about the new AUKUS military pact between the US, Australia, and Britain that will give Canberra access to nuclear submarine technology. “Russia and China believe that such actions are contrary to the objectives of security and sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region, increase the danger of an arms race in the region, and pose serious risks of nuclear proliferation,” the two leaders said.
The Western focus on encircling both Russia and China has naturally led to the two countries increasing cooperation, both militarily and economically. US sanctions against both countries have also boosted trade between Moscow and Beijing. Putin announced Friday new gas and oil deals with China, worth an estimated $117.5 billion.
This is how the game is played… The question then becomes, who is winning? Managing to unite two nuclear countries, Russia and China, both militarily and economically, makes them a very formidable alliance. Another brilliant result of US maneuvering and well done!
It might be time for NATO to reconsider its name… I am certainly open to suggestions…
How about CFWD? Coalition for World Domination.
The works for me Mary! And it has a nice ring of honesty and clarity…
Just found this. Haven’t bothered to look up the whole “US lied to Russia about NATO expansion” thing, but someone on Moon of Alabama provided the links. Certainly is damning of the US and EU.
NATO Expansion: What Yeltsin Heard
https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/russia-programs/2018-03-16/nato-expansion-what-yeltsin-heard
NATO Expansion: What Gorbachev Heard
https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/russia-programs/2017-12-12/nato-expansion-what-gorbachev-heard-western-leaders-early
The Saker has an analysis of the Russian-Chinese statement which means you don’t need to read the entire 3,500-word document.
Unpacking the Russian-Chinese joint statement
https://thesaker.is/unpacking-the-russian-chinese-joint-statement/
Nicely laid out Mr. Stevenhack, it should have a dramatic ending.
The Saker has an analysis of the Russian-Chinese statement which means you don’t need to read the entire 3,500-word document.
Unpacking the Russian-Chinese joint statement
https://thesaker.is/unpacking-the-russian-chinese-joint-statement/
Typical Russian reverse psychology ploy. They want NATO to expand itself to death.
Xi is all but daring the formation of NATOP; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Pacific.
Saw it coming in the (2014?) Godzilla movie when a military helicopter flying overhead a MUTO devastation zone announced that area of Japan was under NATO control.
The movie itself is part of the Kong Island Godzillaverse premised on ancient giant monsters (read: Eurasia) of Inner Earth (Old World) are coming out to reclaim that which they had dominated in the past.
Its fun spectacle but not at all subtle about its geopolitical parable pretensions.
This may be a bit deep for even me but is sure sounds fun!
Let’s see, the plot thickens… NATO expands so much that it caves in on itself and becomes a giant black hole… It just keeps gobbling and gobbling, until there is nothing left to consume and as it caves in on itself, it causes a spectacular explosion (oblivian-esque).
One reason for NATO expansion is that countries of Eastern Europe WANT to become part of NATO. They have experienced what it’s like to live under totalitarian thugs for 50 years and don’t want any part of that again.