SHANGHAI, March 31. /TASS/. Any moves by the North Atlantic Alliance are expected to raise concerns among peace-oriented nations, including Russia and China, said Wan Qingsong, an associate professor at the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University. He shared his views with TASS during the ongoing conference organized by the Valdai International Discussion Club and the Center for Russian Studies.
"NATO has already become the instigator of multiple regional conflicts and crises. Any action it takes will raise wariness among peace-loving countries, particularly China and Russia," Wan stated.
He further emphasized, "NATO is at the root of the Ukrainian crisis. Prior to the conflict’s eruption, five consecutive rounds of NATO's eastward expansion led to a fierce geopolitical and strategic standoff between Russia and the United States, setting the stage for the Ukrainian crisis."
Wan asserted that since the start of the Ukrainian crisis, NATO not only worsened the situation but also extended its influence. He noted that Sweden and Finland joined the alliance, and NATO has attempted to expand into the Asia-Pacific region under the guise of global transformation.
"NATO will not dissolve after US President Donald Trump’s return to power, nor will Trump pull out of NATO," the expert argued. "Instead, Trump is likely to pressure NATO members to increase their defense spending, making it more profitable for the United States while benefiting American security services."
The expert believes that the American president will use NATO to exert pressure on European allies who rely on the alliance as their primary security guarantee.
About the conference
The conference organized by the Valdai International Discussion Club and the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University is being held in Shanghai from March 31 to April 1. Over 60 leading experts from Russia and China are participating in the event. They are discussing global and Eurasian agendas, as well as the bilateral relationship between Russia and China. The main theme is Space of Joint Development: Global and Eurasian Dimensions.