Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), led by the United States, has warned that the deepening friendship between Russia and China could soon push the world toward a third world war. He expressed this concern in an interview with American media outlet The New York Times on Monday.
In the interview, Rutte said, “What is currently happening in Ukraine will very likely happen in Taiwan in the near future. China and Russia share a deep friendship, and if the West fails to understand this reality, we will soon face a potentially catastrophic situation — a global war could break out, and the casualties and destruction from such a war would likely surpass those of the previous two world wars.”
NATO is currently preparing to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. Amid those preparations, Rutte has voiced his concern over the possibility of a third world war.
His concerns cannot be dismissed outright. Recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting in Brussels with Kaja Kallas, head of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Department. During the meeting, regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Wang Yi told Kallas that China would never allow Russia to be defeated.
He explained that if Russia loses the war in Ukraine, the United States will shift its full attention to China and the Asia-Pacific region. The unprecedented hostility that would result could prove disastrous for the world.
Mark Rutte assumed the role of NATO Secretary General last year, after serving as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands for 14 years. In his interview with The New York Times, Rutte said that sensing the possibility of a third world war, many European countries have already increased their defense budgets.
However, he emphasized that there is no alternative to unity among NATO member states to avert global disaster. He also stated that despite “some disagreements” and “value-based differences,” NATO remains a united alliance.
Hungary and Turkey hold positions on the Russia-Ukraine war that differ from other NATO member states. These two countries have yet to impose sanctions on Russia or take any peace-related initiatives.
In response to a question on this matter, the NATO Secretary General said, “Yes, of course, we have debates, and we have differences in values, but it is precisely these differences that keep this alliance alive and strong.”
“And let me also say this — the democratic system of the United States is still the strongest in the world. If disaster strikes, I don’t believe NATO members will take long to unite under U.S. leadership.”
