Chinese Envoy Calls on NATO to End ‘Saber-Rattling,’ Promote Global Peace
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Chinese envoy to the UN Zhang Jun urged NATO to cease its "saber-rattling" and prioritize global peace during a UN Security Council meeting marking the second anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine.
Speaking on Friday, Zhang described the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began on February 24, 2022, as a "tragedy that could have been avoided." He emphasized that the current challenges in Europe are linked to NATO's eastward expansion since the Cold War's end.
Russia has cited preventing Ukraine from joining NATO as a key goal of its military operation in the country, viewing it as a major security threat. Zhang stressed the importance of respecting the legitimate security concerns of all UN member states and cautioned against relying on military blocs for regional security.
Zhang called on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to adopt an objective perspective, refrain from saber-rattling, and take actions conducive to world peace.
The Chinese envoy underlined the need to “respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries,” who are members of the UN. “Regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding a military bloc,” he added.
”We encourage NATO to do some soul-searching, come out of the cage of Cold War mentality, and refrain from acting as an agent of trouble instigating bloc confrontation,” Zhang said.
He urged all parties in the Ukraine conflict to create favorable conditions for negotiations and avoid exacerbating the crisis.
In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of deceiving Moscow by expanding NATO eastward despite promises to the contrary after the USSR's collapse in 1991. He highlighted NATO's expansions in 1999, 2004, and subsequent years, leading to tensions with Russia.
Finland's recent accession to NATO, citing security concerns over the Ukraine conflict, has raised further tensions. Sweden's potential membership is pending approval from Hungary, signaling ongoing geopolitical shifts in the region.
