NATO Chief Urges Democracies to Unite
Russia and North Korea have signed a new defense agreement, showing that authoritarian countries are becoming closer allies. This move highlights the need for democratic nations to work together more closely, as per NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a deal that includes a promise to defend each other.
North Korea Supports Russia in Ukraine
Stoltenberg mentioned that North Korea has supplied Russia with a large amount of ammunition for its ongoing war in Ukraine. He also pointed out that China and Iran are providing military support to Russia.
Stoltenberg warned that authoritarian countries like North Korea, China, Iran, and Russia are increasingly supporting each other. This growing alignment is unprecedented and poses a significant challenge to democracies around the world.
Responding to these developments, Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of democratic countries standing together. He stated that when authoritarian regimes unite, it becomes even more crucial for nations that believe in freedom and democracy to remain united.
NATO’s Engagement with Asia-Pacific Allies
Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of NATO’s cooperation with allies in the Asia-Pacific region. This is why leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea have been invited to a NATO summit in Washington next month.
Stoltenberg also addressed the issue of defense spending. He expressed his expectation that Canada will meet NATO’s target of spending 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. Currently, Canada spends 1.37% of its GDP on the military but plans to increase this to 1.76% by 2030.
Stoltenberg acknowledged that many NATO members are concerned about balancing their budgets and want to spend money on health and education. However, he stressed that if countries cannot preserve peace, efforts in areas like health, climate change, and education will ultimately fail.
This reflects, the new defense pact between Russia and North Korea underscores the need for democracies to unite and respond to the growing alliance among authoritarian regimes. NATO is focusing on strengthening ties with its Asia-Pacific allies and urging member countries to increase their defense spending to ensure global stability and security.
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