That follows three consecutive annual summits where the Indo-Pacific leaders attended as guests.
“It’s extremely positive that these four countries are participating more and more with NATO allies,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters Thursday, “because of the simple fact that security threats in the Indo-Pacific, of course, have a link to what is happening here, and you cannot simply divide the world.”
Russia has turned to its allies for help in Ukraine.
Iran has supplied Shahed drones regularly pounding Ukrainian cities. It has also deployed military advisers. The United States and Ukraine also say it has sent ballistic missiles, something Teheran denies. North Korea is sending vast amounts of artillery ammunition as well as missiles — crucial for Russia’s forces as they slowly advance in Ukraine. Kyiv also says that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to fight in the war.
China insists it is not arming Russia, although Washington is unambiguously saying that Beijing is aiding Vladimir Putin’s military. China is also buying Russian energy and its exports of chips and other supplies are crucial to keep Moscow’s war machine humming.
This week, Russian and Chinese officials met in Beijing and pledged to work closely together, and the two have held joint military drills in recent months.
