NATO member countries have expressed concerns over the nuclear policies of Russia and China, urging both nations to adopt greater transparency as the UN disarmament conference approaches.
The North Atlantic Council emphasized the Alliance’s strong commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which has served as the foundation of the global arms control framework since 1970.
In its statement, NATO pointed out that Russia has violated key arms control obligations and has engaged in reckless nuclear rhetoric. Meanwhile, China continues to rapidly expand and diversify its nuclear arsenal without sufficient transparency.
“We are dealing with a Russia that has exited all significant arms control agreements, developing various delivery systems for nuclear weapons while waging the largest war in Europe since 1945,” said NATO Deputy Secretary General Boris Ruge.
Ruge also highlighted the recent deployment of Russia’s medium-range ballistic missile, the “Oreshnik,” which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, as a troubling indication of Moscow’s risky policies.
NATO reiterated its defensive posture, contrasting its approach with the aggressive rhetoric from Russian leadership.
In response, China dismissed the allegations, asserting that it maintains its nuclear capabilities at a minimal level necessary for national security. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated, “China has always kept its nuclear power at the minimum level required for national security and will never engage in a nuclear arms race.”
Currently, Russia and the United States are believed to possess the largest nuclear arsenals, followed by China, France, and the United Kingdom.
Ruge expressed hope that the upcoming conference would lead to a consensus document addressing transparency, risk reduction, and strategic stability, despite previous attempts at reaching an agreement having been unsuccessful.
“Even if we do not succeed in agreeing on a document, we believe this does not undermine the importance and validity of the NPT itself,” he concluded.
NATO has raised alarms about the nuclear strategies of Russia and China, calling for increased transparency ahead of a UN disarmament conference. The Alliance remains committed to the NPT while highlighting concerns over Russia's violations and China's expanding arsenal.