Putin, Xi Jinping Planning 'Malicious Cyber Operations' Against NATO With Shared 'Toolkit,' Says US Diplomat

A top U.S. diplomat has warned that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are "sharing a toolkit" of strategies to undermine NATO states.

What Happened: The U.S. ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, urged western partners to step up efforts to defend themselves against both Russia and China.

See Also: Putin Vows To Equip Russian Army With Modern Weapons As Ukraine Situation Turns ‘Extremely Difficult’

"Those two are increasingly sharing a toolkit that should concern the NATO alliance," Smith said, according to the Financial Times, as she pointed towards increasing threats to energy supplies and cyber security, among other factors.

"There's just no question that the [China] and Russia are both working to divide . . . the transatlantic partners. And we are now very aware, we all have a deeper appreciation of those efforts and are intent on addressing them," Smith said.

Although Xi has not provided Putin with weapons and artilleries for the war in Ukraine, it has been Russia's key ally in an anti-West alliance. The two leaders also signed a "no limits" strategic partnership just days before Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February. 

"We've seen them share hybrid tactics," Smith said, adding, "I think China watches very closely how Russia relies on disinformation and things like coercion or energy security, malign or malicious cyber operations."

Meanwhile, the two allies will hold joint naval drills between Dec. 21 and Dec. 27 in the East China Sea as Putin seeks to increase his country’s political, security and economic links with Xi amid the unprecedented war in Ukraine and tensions with the U.S.

Check out more of Benzinga’s Europe and Asia coverage by following this link.