NATO Criticizes Russia and China Nuclear Policies Before UN Review

The North Atlantic Council issued a statement condemning the nuclear arms policies of Russia and China prior to a United Nations review conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in New York. The alliance accused Russia of violating arms control commitments and employing irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, specifically highlighting the deployment of Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Ukraine.

NATO also criticized China for rapidly expanding and diversifying its nuclear arsenal without transparency. In response, the Government of China stated that its nuclear strength remains at the minimum level required for national security. Meanwhile, the Russian government described France's plans to expand its own nuclear arsenal as highly destabilizing.

NATO Assistant Secretary General Boris Ruge defended the alliance's position, characterizing France's actions as a transparent response to security threats. Ruge further condemned Russian nuclear signaling and urged the United States to pursue multilateral strategic stability to maintain global security.