Speaking at the Raisina Downunder conference in Canberra, Andrew Shearer, Director-General of the Office of National Intelligence, said the nexus, which included China, Iran, and North Korea, warranted thorough evaluation.

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Australia’s national intelligence chief has sounded an alarm about an “emerging axis” of countries supporting Russia in its brutal invasion of Ukraine, cautioning that the strategic development was “profoundly troubling” for the Western countries supporting Kyiv.

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Andrew Shearer, Director-General of the Office of National Intelligence, said the nexus, which included China, Iran, and North Korea, warranted thorough evaluation.

Naming North Korea and China as the main pillars of the Axis, Shearer stated that Moscow’s ongoing aggression has been made possible largely by Beijing’s consistent diplomatic and economic support.

“The massive provision by China of dual-use assistance to Putin, and economic support and diplomatic support is keeping Putin’s army in the field in Ukraine, killing innocent Ukrainians just as surely as if they were providing artillery ammunition and missiles,” Shearer said.