DISINFO: NATO intends to create a tense zone in the Black Sea region to destabilise Russia
SUMMARY
NATO will surround the Black Sea Fleet with military bases. The Alliance intends to create a tense zone in the region to destabilise the Russian Federation. NATO forces intend to build military bases in Ukraine to encircle the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO encircling Russia and about Ukraine as NATO's puppet. There is no evidence that Ukraine will be used by any NATO country as a ground against Russia.
So far, no country has expressed its willingness to deploy a military base in Ukraine. Speculations over this started after joint Ukraine-UK military exercises in 2020. At the moment, Ukraine and the UK are planning to cooperate in the development of the Ukrainian sea fleet. The UK also expressed its willingness to help in the modernisation of Ukrainian naval infrastructure. Also, the US Armed Forces provide assistance in improving naval infrastructure in Mykolaiv oblast.
In general, deploying foreign bases on Ukrainian territory is prohibited by the Consitution of Ukraine. However, they may be deployed on a basis of a bilateral treaty.
Read similar cases: "Ukraine is about to build Nato bases in Donbas", "New naval bases, if they appear, will serve the interests not so much of Ukraine itself as of NATO".