Ukraine war: Put values over profits, Nato chief tells countries

The war in Ukraine has highlighted how countries need to put values before profits, Nato's chief has warned.

Jens Stoltenberg said it had shown "how economic relations with authoritarian regimes can create vulnerabilities", BBC reports.

His speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos singled out trade with Russia and China in particular.

Mr Stoltenberg pointed to issues such as Russia's dominance over Europe's gas supply, as well as bids from Chinese companies to run 5G networks.

"International trade has undoubtedly brought great prosperity, but we must recognise that our economic choices have consequences for our security," the former Norwegian prime minister told people gathered at the event.

"Freedom is more important than free trade. The protection of our values is more important than profit."

"It provides Russia with a tool to intimidate and to use against us, and that has been clearly demonstrated now, I regret to say."

Europe has been accused of helping fund Moscow's war in Ukraine through its payment for energy, and is currently taking steps to reduce its reliance on Russian gas imports by two thirds by the end of 2022.