Leaders Of NATO Countries Discuss Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Today In Belgium, China In The Spotlight

Illustration of the 2021 NATO Leaders Summit. (Twitter/@jensstoltenberg)

JAKARTA - The meeting of Western leaders in Brussels, Belgium on Russia's continued invasion of Ukraine is expected to spend a lot of time talking about China.

US security officials say they have seen no sign of Beijing providing Moscow with military equipment, or other assistance to support Russian troops.

But Western officials warn that China's refusal to condemn the Russian invasion and its willingness to imitate Kremlin propaganda is a cause for concern.

"We are facing a fundamentally changing security environment, where authoritarian powers are increasingly prepared to use force to get what they want," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters the day before a meeting of heads of state this Thursday.

"Beijing has joined Moscow in questioning the right of independent countries to choose their own path. So, I hope we will also discuss China's role in this crisis," he added.

So far, China has sought to avoid political conflict over the war in Ukraine, saying it recognizes Ukraine's sovereignty while also agreeing with Russia that NATO's expansion has raised "legitimate security concerns."

"China has provided political support to Russia, including by spreading blatant lies and disinformation, and allies are concerned that China could provide material support for the Russian invasion," Stoltenberg said.

He added that NATO leaders would call on China to fulfill its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council, refrain from supporting Russia's war effort, and join the rest of the world in calling for an immediate peaceful end to this war.