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China must stop supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine if it wants to have good relations with the West, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said. In an unexpectedly tough speech, Stoltenberg warned Beijing that it cannot have both, Reuters reports.

During a visit to Berlin, Jens Stoltenberg said Beijing’s support is vital to Moscow’s war effort as it supports the Russian economy through the transfer of high technology such as semiconductors.

“Last year, Russia imported from China 90% of the microelectronics used to make missiles, tanks and planes. China is also working with Russia to provide enhanced satellite imagery capabilities,” Stoltenberg said.

“China claims it wants good relations with the West. At the same time, Beijing continues to fuel Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II. It cannot have both,” said the NATO Secretary General.

Furthermore, Stoltenberg warned NATO countries not to become as dependent on China as they have been on Russia. “In the past, we made the mistake of becoming dependent on Russian oil and gas. We must not repeat the mistake with China. To depend on its money, its raw materials and its technologies. Addictions make us vulnerable”, Jens Stoltenberg appreciated.

Russian-Chinese trade growing spectacularly

China has strengthened its trade and military ties in recent years as the United States and its allies have imposed sanctions on both, but particularly Moscow, following its invasion of Ukraine.

Russian-Chinese trade will reach a record $230.1 billion in 2023, up 26.3 percent from the previous year, according to Chinese customs authorities. Chinese shipments to Russia increased by 46.9% in 2023 while imports from Russia grew by 13%.

Stotenberg’s concerns come as Russia announced that President Putin will make an official visit to China in May, the Kremlin leader’s first foreign trip since taking a new term as president.

At the beginning of April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traveled to China, and President Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stated at the time that Lavrov’s visit to Beijing could be seen as a preparatory one for “future contacts at the highest level “.

Peskov also confirmed that Vladimir Putin is interested in a trip to China. “Indeed, such contacts are planned and there is an understanding of their opportunity and necessity, given the high level of friendly relations between the Russian Federation and China,” he said.