Russia’s war also prompting countries to defend against China: Biden

U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is prompting allies and partners around the world to stand up to what they view as challenges to the rules-based order, including from China.

“As I indicated to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin…his action would cause worldwide response,” Biden told a press conference in Madrid, after attending a NATO summit meeting dominated by discussion of the Ukraine crisis.

Noting that the gathering was the first of its kind to be joined by the leaders of Japan and other Asia-Pacific partners, Biden said Russia’s invasion is “bringing together Democratic allies and partners from the Atlantic and the Pacific…to defend the rules-based order against the challenges including from China.”

On Wednesday, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization endorsed a document meant to guide the alliance for the next decade, with China mentioned as a challenge for the first time in such guidelines.

While calling Russia “the most significant and direct threat” to the allies’ security, the so-called Strategic Concept warned of China’s military build-up, cyber operations, coercive policies and disinformation campaigns, among other issues.

The document also flagged the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia, noting their “mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order.”

Biden, wrapping up a week-long European trip that also took him to Germany for the Group of Seven summit, pitched the global infrastructure project launched by the industrialized nations as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road initiative.

“Unlike China, these projects will be done transparently, and with very high standards,” the president asserted, taking a swipe at the opaque, Chinese-financed infrastructure development scheme that has been blamed for leaving countries with heavy debt.

Biden also revealed that the United States intends to announce more than $800 million in further aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, saying it will include new advanced Western air defense systems and additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS.

The United States has provided Ukraine with nearly $7 billion in security assistance since Biden took office in January last year, according to the president.