DISINFO: HRVP Josep Borrell’s interview proves that Russia fights NATO
SUMMARY
Russia is at war with NATO because European Union HRVP Josep Borrell has said in an interview: “This is not the moment for diplomatic conversations about peace, it is the moment of supporting militarily the war. So, I feel as a diplomat but I feel also as a kind of defence minister with the European Union. Because I spend quite an important part of my time talking about the arms.”
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that NATO forces are directly involved in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
In reality, HRVP Josep Borrell in his interview with Euronews did not say anything about NATO’s involvement in fighting. He was speaking about military support to Ukraine in the context of supplying it with weapons and ammunition. The fact that Western nations including some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military and financial support does not suggest direct involvement in fighting. It is only the Ukrainian Armed Forces who are repelling Russian aggression on the frontline. Ukrainian and NATO officials occasionally meet to discuss cooperation, and Western instructors train Ukrainian soldiers how to use modern weaponry, but there are no foreign troops fighting on the front.
All arms deliveries to Ukraine are being done in strict compliance with national legislation and in accordance with bilateral and multilateral agreements. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Kyiv is not fighting on behalf of any foreign government or organisation. It is acting in self-defence against the Russian invasion as enshrined in the UN Charter Article 51.
The US, the EU and NATO condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked.
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