Russia's new defense pact with North Korea shows an increasing rapprochement between the authoritarian regimes and highlights the importance of democracies to present themselves with a united front, NATO head Jens Stoltenberg warned, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that includes a commitment to mutual defense. This agreement changes Moscow's policy towards Pyongyang.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said North Korea had provided "a huge amount of munitions" of Russia, while both China and Iran have supported Moscow militarily in its war against Ukraine.
"We must be aware that the authoritarian forces are more and more allied. They support each other in a way we haven't seen before,'' he said during a panel discussion during an official visit to Ottawa. "At a time when authoritarian regimes, such as North Korea, China, Iran, Russia, are becoming more and more united, it is important to unite as countries that believe in freedom and democracy,", Stoltenberg said.
The growing closeness between Russia and other Asian countries means it is even more important for NATO to work with allies in the Asia-Pacific region, which is why leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea have been invited to the meeting of NATO summit in Washington next month.
Stoltenberg also said he expects Canada to meet NATO requirements to spend 2% of its gross domestic product on defence. Canada's Liberal government, which has poured billions into social programs, spends only 1.37% of GDP on the military. In April, it published a plan to reach 1.76% by 2030.