North Korea and Iran's military support for Russia has serious implications for global security that the 32-member NATO alliance cannot ignore. This was stated on Wednesday by General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg, quoted by "Reuters".
Pyongyang has transferred ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia, while Iran has also provided Moscow with Shahed drones, often used to attack Ukrainian infrastructure.
In return, Russia has provided technology and supplies that help their own missile and nuclear capabilities.
Western powers are increasingly concerned that Tehran may soon also transfer ballistic missiles to Russia.
"Russia's friends in Asia are vital to the continuation of this war of aggression," Stoltenberg said during the ministerial meeting in Brussels.
China is also "supporting Russia's military economy," he said.
"This has implications for regional and global security," Stoltenberg said, adding that ministers would discuss how to deal with the problem.
We remind you that a two-day meeting is taking place in Brussels on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of NATO and will prepare the summit of the leaders of the Alliance in July in Washington.
NATO foreign ministers will discuss how to put military support for Ukraine on a long-term basis.
A €100bn five-year fund proposal is being considered and a plan seen as a way to " Trump Resistant" aid to Kyiv.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's proposals would give the alliance a more direct role in coordinating the delivery of arms, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion, diplomats say.
NATO has said that Ukraine cannot join while it is at war with Russia, but that it will become a member at some point.
"Ukraine will become a member of NATO. The question is not if, but when," Stoltenberg emphasized today.
Diplomats have warned that discussions on the proposal are at an early stage and it is not clear whether the 100 billion euro amount will be accepted or how it will be financed. NATO decisions require consensus among all 32 members of the Alliance.
"A fund of 100 billion looks very optimistic," noted a diplomat.
Russia has said that NATO has returned to Cold War thinking, reports "Reuters". "Today, in relations with Russia, the bloc has returned to the settings of the Cold War," said the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.
In her words, NATO has no place in the "multipolar world" that Moscow claims it is seeking to build to end US dominance. Nevertheless, the Alliance remains the focus of Russian attention.