NATO “Not Naive” About China’s Reported Training of Russian Troops, Rutte Says

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance is closely tracking China’s activities related to Russia’s war against Ukraine, including reports that Chinese territory was used to train Russian military personnel.

The comments came ahead of the 35th Ramstein meeting in a press conference with NATO defense ministers in Brussels on June 17.

Rutte declined to comment in detail on allegations that China had provided military training to Russian soldiers, while saying NATO was closely tracking the issue.

“We are not naive. We monitor everything very precisely. I cannot tell you more at this point, or at least not in this open press conference, but you can be assured that we monitor every [part],” he said.

His remarks came after journalists asked about recent claims that China had assisted Russia by training military personnel, allegations previously referenced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

Rutte also reiterated NATO’s broader assessment that Russia continues to receive support from several countries in sustaining its war effort against Ukraine.

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“We know that Russia is not alone, that they receive vital support from North Korea, from China, from Iran,” he said. “The four countries work closely together, and there are mutual arrangements—perhaps not always legally written down on paper—regarding who does what for the other and what they receive in return.”

According to information previously cited by European officials, approximately 200 Russian servicemen underwent training in China late last year, with some later returning to participate in combat operations in Ukraine.

Chinese officials have denied the allegations, describing such claims as attempts to shift responsibility for the war. The Kremlin has also rejected reports of Chinese military training for Russian troops. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov previously said such reports should be treated critically.

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