America News Agency

"Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to the security of the Allies," the statement said, adding that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has disrupted peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region and seriously undermined global security. Terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, is the most direct asymmetric threat to the security of our citizens and to international peace and prosperity. The threats we face are global and interconnected.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg described the declaration as an important message: "I think the message that NATO is sending from this summit is very strong and very clear, and we clearly recognize China's responsibility in enabling Russia's war."

Beijing insists it is not providing direct military aid to Russia but has maintained strong trade ties with its neighbour throughout the conflict.

China's Foreign Ministry has expressed dissatisfaction with NATO's growing interest in Asia, demanding that the alliance stay out of the Asia-Pacific region and not fuel conflict. Beijing's EU mission said the summit was "full of cold war mentality and belligerent rhetoric".

"The paragraphs on China are provocative with blatant lies and slander," it said in a statement.

The final statement also accused China of being behind persistent, malicious cyber and hybrid activities, including disinformation. It also raised alarms that it is rapidly expanding and diversifying its nuclear arsenal with more warheads and more sophisticated delivery systems.

In a statement, NATO leaders said Ukraine's "future is in NATO" and its path to membership is "irreversible".

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine's NATO membership is "not a question of if, but a question of when".