NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticized China for boycotting the Ukraine peace conference that will takes place in Switzerland later this month, reported DPA, quoted by BTA.
In a podcast interview with Germany's regional public broadcaster NDR (NDR), Stoltenberg expressed regret that China had decided not to participate.
Switzerland invited about 160 countries to the meeting on June 15 and 16 to discuss possible ways to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.
Last week, China announced that it would not participate. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing said there was a significant gap between the conference's intent and China's expectations, as well as the general expectations of the international community.
Stoltenberg said China's refusal was not surprising. Not only did China not condemn the invasion, but also right before the meeting, President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin signed an agreement in which they promised each other a boundless partnership, the head of NATO noted.
Stoltenberg said that since the invasion, China has been selling advanced technology, microelectronics and other equipment to support Russia's military economy, enabling Russia to continue its war against Ukraine.
Switzerland has confirmed that more than 80 countries will participate in the peace conference. Russia, which invaded Ukraine more than two years ago, did not receive an invitation.