DISINFO: NATO is turning Ukraine into a bridgehead against Russia
SUMMARY
NATO is turning Ukraine into a bridgehead against Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative about aggressive NATO, claiming that the Alliance is preparing a war with Russia and using Ukraine for its belligerent plans and that the US and NATO, are encircling Russia.
NATO is not involved in fighting in Eastern Ukraine. In response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, NATO has reinforced its support for capability development and capacity-building in Ukraine. At the NATO Summit in Brussels in 2021, NATO leaders reiterated their support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, condemned Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine and demanded Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine and reverse its military build-up.
This disinformation is used to distract attention from a renewed build-up of Russian armed forces along the Ukrainian borders which have left additional significant Russian heavy armament and equipment in Ukraine's proximity.
In a statement released by the G7 countries on 12 December 2021, the leaders called on Russia to de-escalate, pursue diplomatic channels, and abide by its international commitments on transparency of military activities. See also the EU Council statement of 24 January 2022 about Russia's role in Ukraine here.
Find out more about seven common myths surrounding the current Russia-Ukraine conflict in our recent analysis.