NATO Chief Eyes Indo-Pacific Cooperation

WASHINGTON, DC (IANS/DPA) – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of expanding cooperation between the Western military alliance and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, amid a visit to North Korea by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Putin’s visit to North Korea demonstrates and confirms the very close alignment between Russia and authoritarian states like North Korea, but also China and Iran,” Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken here on June 18.

“This also demonstrates that our security is not regional. It’s global. What happens in Europe matters for Asia, and what happens in Asia matters for us,” Stoltenberg said, adding “This is demonstrated in Ukraine, where Iran, North Korea, and China are propping up, fueling Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”.

The NATO Chief went on to say that the “idea that we can divide security into regional theatres doesn’t work anymore… Everything is intertwined and therefore we need to address these challenges together”.

Stoltenberg also highlighted concerns about Moscow’s potential support for Pyongyang “when it comes to supporting their missile and nuclear programs,” stressing this is another reason to strengthen cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Putin arrived in North Korea on June 18 for a two-day state visit against the backdrop of Russia’s war with Ukraine. The two nations have come to several agreements.