China's mission to the European Union has hit out at NATO Secretary-Common Jens Stoltenberg after the alliance chief accused Beijing of undermining international safety by refusing to sentence Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Following a gathering of NATO international ministers on Thursday, Stoltenberg instructed reporters in Brussels that China's failure to face towards Russian aggression represents "a critical problem to us all."

China's mission to the EU instructed Newsweek in an announcement that it's the North Atlantic alliance, not Beijing, that's destabilizing worldwide safety.

Ukraine soldiers train near Kharkiv Russia invasion
Members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces attend tactical, fight and first support coaching course in response to Russia's navy invasion of Ukraine, in Kharkiv on April 7, 2022.SERGEY BOBOK/AFP by way of Getty Photos

"For the reason that outbreak of the Ukraine disaster, China has at all times maintained an goal and truthful place, remained dedicated to selling peace talks and made optimistic efforts in direction of the de-escalation of the state of affairs," the mission stated.

"This stands in distinction to the makes an attempt of fanning the flames and including gas to the fireplace as some organizations do," the assertion added, an obvious reference to NATO, which Beijing has criticized for sending weapons to Ukraine to assist defend towards Russia.

"It has been greater than 30 years for the reason that Chilly Warfare ended," the mission continued.

"NATO, as a remnant of the Chilly Warfare, has not solely did not replicate on its position as such, but additionally continued to broaden its geographical scope and vary of operations, and is more and more focusing on China.

"That is the intense problem confronting international peace and stability."

China has refused to criticize Russia instantly for its invasion and has condemned the West for its subsequent unprecedented sanctions on Moscow.

Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated Wednesday: "Historical past and actuality have confirmed that sanctions don't convey peace and safety, however solely convey lose-lose or a number of losses, including to the already tough world economic system and impacting the prevailing world financial system."

Zhao accused the U.S. of fanning the flames of battle in Ukraine to "revenue from the chaos and make some huge cash." Moscow has repeatedly alleged the identical of the U.S. and its NATO companions.

He additionally refused responsible Russia for alleged conflict crimes in occupied northern areas lately vacated by invading troops. Satellite tv for pc photos and intercepted navy communications counsel that Russian troops tortured and executed civilians in Kyiv suburbs together with Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel.

Ukrainian and European leaders have stated Russian forces had been behind the killings, although Moscow and its media organs have tried responsible Ukrainian troops and dismiss the rising proof as fabricated.

Zhao stated Wednesday that the "fact and the reason for the incident have to be verified...All events ought to train restraint and keep away from unfounded accusations earlier than a conclusion of the investigation is drawn."

Stoltenberg on Thursday was clear that NATO sees China's response to the Russian invasion as a menace to the alliance.

"We've seen that China is unwilling to sentence Russia's aggression," the NATO chief stated. "And Beijing has joined Moscow in questioning the best of countries to decide on their very own path. It is a critical problem to us all. It makes it much more essential that we stand collectively to guard our values."

NATO's Asia Pacific Companions—Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea—joined alliance international ministers for discussions in Brussels. Stoltenberg stated this was a mirrored image of the "international ramifications" of the disaster in jap Europe.

The defensive alliance and its companions within the Asia Pacific agreed "to step up our sensible and political cooperation in a number of areas," together with cyber expertise, maritime safety, local weather change, and resilience, Stoltenberg stated.