DISINFO: NATO is not an alliance of states that defend themselves
SUMMARY
NATO is not an alliance of states that defend themselves. Today, NATO is shamelessly lying and “rolling up” to the Russian borders on its German “Leopards” – these are tanks of a new generation. NATO bases are along with Russia’s borders, NATO countries have enormous defence expenditures and have a look at that NATO army… And they say that they are afraid of Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about NATO.
NATO is in no way directed against Russia nor any other state. NATO’s objectives are set out in the 1949 Washington Treaty which forms the legal basis of the alliance. The treaty states that parties “are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and security”.
NATO has taken defensive and proportionate steps in response to a changed security environment. Following Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine, Allies requested a greater NATO presence in the region. NATO exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia, Belarus nor any other country. The claim that NATO is encircling or threatening Russia is one of the myths about this organisation.
See several other anti-NATO narratives such as NATO provoking Russia, Kaliningrad exclave is threatened by NATO, Eastern European countries are NATO “hostages” (Baltic states, Moldova, Poland) and that NATO has taken a path of aggression and NATO is trying to destroy the military alliance of Russia and Belarus.