Russia and China Denounce NATO Expansion

FEB 4 2022·Updated FEB 7 2022

Story

Image credit: Sputnik/Aleksey Druzhinin/Kremlin [via PBS]

The Facts

Russian leader Vladimir Putin met with China's Xi Jinping at a summit in Beijing on the eve of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
PBS NewsHour
In a joint statement, they presented a unified front against the further expansion of NATO and affirmed the view that Taiwan is part of China.
PBS NewsHour
Under international pressure over their respective human rights policies and territorial claims, the leaders rejected what they called "interference in the internal affairs" of other states.
PBS NewsHour
The timing was significant as the Olympic games face diplomatic boycotts over China's alleged human rights abuses.
One America

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The prospect of Ukraine joining NATO poses an unnecessary threat to Russian security. US national security depends on NATO remaining a strong bulwark against Russian aggression in Western Europe. Inviting Ukraine to the alliance provides little benefit and may go a long way towards undermining peace in the region.

wapo

Narrative B

Rather than use the opportunity to lower tensions on Ukraine, Putin and Xi are solidifying an axis of autocratic states that intend to undermine the democratic world order in pursuit of economic gains and raw power politics.

One America