Last updated: 24 Oct. 2024 11:07Setting the record straight
De-bunking Russian disinformation on NATO
Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has shattered peace and stability in Europe and gravely undermined global security. NATO's Strategic Concept – adopted in 2022 – states that Russia is the most significant and direct threat to Allies' security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. Russia wants to establish spheres of influence and control other countries through coercion, subversion, aggression and annexation. It uses conventional, cyber and hybrid means – including disinformation – against NATO Allies and partners.
NATO does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia. The Alliance will continue to respond to Russian threats and actions in a united and responsible way. We are strengthening our deterrence and defence, supporting our partners, and enhancing our resilience. This includes calling out Russia's actions and countering disinformation.
Myth:
NATO is at war with Russia in Ukraine
FACT
NATO is not at war with Russia and is not party to the war Russia is waging on Ukraine. NATO supports Ukraine in its right to self-defence, as enshrined in the UN Charter. We do not seek confrontation with Russia. In response to Russia's aggressive actions, we continue to strengthen our deterrence and defence to make sure there is no room for misunderstanding that NATO is ready to protect and defend every Ally.
NATO is a defensive Alliance. Our core task is to keep our nations safe. At the Washington Summit, Allies reaffirmed their iron-clad commitment to defend Allied territory at all times. We will continue to protect our one billion people, and safeguard freedom and democracy, in accordance with Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.
Myth:
NATO promised Russia it would not enlarge after the Cold War
FACT
The myth that there was a promise by Western leaders not to allow new members to join has been circulating for many years, and is actively used in disinformation campaigns by the Kremlin since the start of the Russian war against Ukraine.
While records show that in the initial stages of discussions about German reunification, US Secretary of State James Baker and his West German counterpart, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, floated such an idea with each other and with Soviet leaders in 1990, but diplomatic negotiations quickly moved on and the idea was dropped.
NATO’s founding treaty – signed in 1949 by the 12 original members and by every country that has joined since – includes a clear provision that opens NATO’s door to “any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.” This has never changed. No treaty signed by NATO Allies and Russia ever included provisions that NATO cannot take on new members. Decisions on NATO membership are taken by consensus among all Allies.
Describing NATO’s open door policy as “expansion” is already part of the myth. NATO did not seek out new members or aim to “expand eastward.” NATO respects every nation’s right to choose its own path. NATO membership is a decision first for those countries that wish to join. It is then for NATO Allies to consider the application.
Myth:
NATO is aggressive
FACT
NATO is a defensive alliance. Allies work together to deter aggression and to ensure that NATO is prepared to defend all Allies in case of attack. NATO does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia, or any other nation. NATO did not invade Georgia in 2008. Russia did. NATO did not invade Ukraine in 2014, and again in 2022. Russia did.
NATO made significant efforts over many years to establish a strategic partnership with Russia. We established the NATO-Russia Council in 2002 and worked together on issues ranging from counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism to submarine rescue and civil emergency planning, including during periods of NATO enlargement.
It was Russia that gradually chipped away at peaceful cooperation, with its pattern of increasingly aggressive behaviour, from Grozny to Georgia and Aleppo to Ukraine.
NATO Allies engaged in persistent diplomatic efforts to convince Russia to change its course. NATO held the last meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in January 2022 to call on President Putin to step back from the brink. President Putin chose war.
Myth:
NATO tries to push Europe into a war with Russia
FACT
Russia started its war against Ukraine without being threatened by Ukraine or any other country in Europe. It illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and proceeded to seize territory in Donetsk and Luhansk. And in 2022, with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War 2.
Russia has struck hospitals, schools, and shopping malls. Russia bombs civilian power and water infrastructure. Russia is killing Ukrainian civilians.
Ukraine has the right, and the responsibility, to protect its people. Self-defence is a fundamental right, which is enshrined in the UN Charter. And NATO has the right to support Ukraine as it seeks to uphold its right to self-defence and to prevail as a sovereign state in Europe. Self-defence and the support of self-defence is in line with international law.
By supporting Ukraine and working to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to deter and defend, NATO is helping to uphold the international rules-based order and the security of NATO’s one billion people.
Myth:
NATO's deployments are a threat to Russia
FACT
Before Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine in 2014, there was no permanent deployment of multinational NATO troops in the eastern part of the Alliance. As the security environment changed following Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of eastern Ukraine, NATO suspended practical cooperation with Russia, while maintaining political and military dialogue, and deployed four multinational battlegroups to the Baltic States and Poland in 2016.
As a reaction to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO reinforced its deterrence and defence posture. We doubled the number of multinational battlegroups in the east of the Alliance from four to eight. We will continue to do what is needed to protect and defend all Allies.
Outside NATO territory, the Alliance has a KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo based on a United Nations Security Council mandate, and a train and assist mission in Iraq contributing to the fight against terrorism at the request of the Iraqi government.
Russia's aggressive actions are undermining international security and stability. As well as its aggression against Ukraine, Russia has military bases and soldiers in Georgia and Moldova without the consent of the governments of these countries.
Myth:
NATO is encircling Russia
FACT
Russia is the world's largest country. It is almost twice the size of the US and China.
When Finland joined the Alliance in April 2023, NATO's land border with Russia more than doubled. Even after Finland's accession, only 11% of Russia's land border is shared with NATO countries.
No one has backed Russia into a corner. It is hard to encircle a country with eleven time zones.
Myth:
Ukraine will not join NATO
FACT
All 32 NATO Allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance. NATO supports the right of every country to choose its own security arrangements, including Ukraine. NATO's door remains open. Ukraine, as the country who wishes to join and NATO Allies decide on NATO membership. Russia does not have a veto.
At the 2024 Washington Summit, Allies reaffirmed their full support for Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements and decide its own future, free from outside interference. Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance when conditions are met and Allies agree.
In Washington, Allies confirmed their support for Ukraine on its irreversible path to NATO membership. They agreed to establish NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) to coordinate the provision of military equipment and training for Ukraine by Allies and partners. They also announced a pledge of long-term security assistance for Ukraine, providing a minimum baseline funding of 40 billion Euro within the next year, and sustainable levels of security assistance in the future.
The Summit decisions and the NATO-Ukraine Council, combined with Allies’ ongoing work, form a bridge to Ukraine’s membership in NATO.
Myth:
NATO's operations prove that the Alliance is not defensive
FACT
NATO intervened in the former Yugoslavia to stop bloodshed and save lives. From 1992-1995, NATO conducted military operations in Bosnia, including enforcing a no-fly-zone and providing air support for UN peacekeepers. These activities were mandated by the United Nations Security Council, of which Russia is a member. NATO air strikes against Bosnian Serb positions helped pave the way for the Dayton peace agreement, which ended the war in Bosnia that had killed over 100,000 people. From 1996, NATO led multinational peacekeeping forces in Bosnia, which included troops from Russia.
NATO's operation in Kosovo in 1999 followed a year of intense international diplomatic efforts, which included Russia, to end the conflict. The UN Security Council repeatedly branded the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and the growing number of refugees as a threat to international peace and security. NATO's mission helped to end large-scale and sustained violations of human rights and the killing of civilians. KFOR, NATO's ongoing peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, has a UN Security Council mandate (UNSCR 1244) and is supported by both Belgrade and Pristina.
The NATO-led operation in Libya in 2011 was launched under the authority of two UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs 1970 and 1973), neither of which was opposed by Russia. UNSCR 1973 authorised the international community "to take all necessary measures" to "protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack". This is what NATO did, with the support of regional states and members of the Arab League.
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