DISINFO: NATO does everything to prolong the war in Ukraine
SUMMARY
NATO countries are doing everything to prolong the active phase of the Russian special operation in Ukraine by supplying weapons to Kyiv.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that Western military aid to Kyiv is aimed at prolongation of the war in Ukraine, in an attempt to justify the Russian invasion of Ukraine and shift responsibility to NATO and the West.
In reality, Western military assistance which includes both defensive and offensive weapons is used by Ukraine's Armed Forces to liberate its territory from occupants and restore sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders including illegally annexed Crimea and the occupied parts of Donbas.
NATO condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine - which is an independent, peaceful and democratic country, and a close NATO partner.
Ukraine has a fundamental right to self-defence under the United Nations Charter. In a statement after the extraordinary NATO summit on 24 March, Heads of State reaffirmed this The statement reads:
"Since 2014, we have provided extensive support to Ukraine’s ability to exercise that right. We have trained Ukraine’s armed forces, strengthening their military capabilities and capacities and enhancing their resilience. NATO Allies have stepped up their support and will continue to provide further political and practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself. NATO Allies also provide extensive humanitarian support and are hosting millions of refugees."
NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels on 6-7 April 2022 agreed to sustain and further strengthen support for Ukraine, and step up cooperation with partners, given the global implications of President Putin’s unprovoked war on Ukraine.
At the same time, NATO does not send its troops to Ukraine. NATO countries want to avoid an all-out, direct conflict between Russia and NATO soldiers. However, it has approved sending four new battlegroups to Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania - three of which border Ukraine - doubling NATO's deterence presence in the region.
See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EUvsDisinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.