PARIS. Nov 12 (Interfax) - NATO countries and partners should unite in the face of a threat posed simultaneously to Europe, the Asia Pacific and North America from Russia's cooperation with North Korea, Iran and China, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
In particular, North Korea has Russian-backed missile technologies, Rutte said. "This is very concerning. These missiles present a direct threat to the United States mainland, to Europe, to the Indo Pacific and to the wider Euro Atlantic. And when I say the Indo Pacific that includes South Korea and Japan," Rutte said in Paris where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.
"So, we must stand together - Europe, North America and our global partners - to keep our people safe and prosperous. And in doing so, we have to keep our transatlantic alliance strong," Rutte said.
An "immediate challenge" is support for Ukraine, he said.
NATO members should reaffirm their commitment to help Kiev long-term, he said. They should also be "providing Ukraine with the support it needs to change the trajectory of the conflict," Rutte said.
France's military assistance to Ukraine with artillery weapons, air defense systems, cruise missiles, armored vehicles, and training and equipping of its brigade, is welcome, he said.