DISINFO: NATO made the provocation during Baltops exercises
SUMMARY
The use of the US army strategic bomber B-52H, which could carry the nuclear weapon, during NATO's exercises Baltops is an ordinary provocation. This sort of “sabre-rattling” is increasing tensions in Europe. The US should change its approach to security in Europe and stop dangerous activities near the Russian borders.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative about NATO and its military exercises.
Baltops military exercise has been held in the Baltic region since 1972. The aim of these exercises is to bring together NATO Allies and partners in order to increase interoperability and enhance flexibility among the participants.
The primary aim of the alliance is to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO follows strict procedure and emphasizes transparency during military training exercises, which are announced months in advance and are subject to international scrutiny. All NATO members participate voluntarily and training exercises are conducted with the approval of the host countries.
The West is reacting to Russia's aggressive actions abroad. The activities of NATO in the Eastern flank of the Alliance are linked to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Russia's destabilising actions in eastern Ukraine. In 2016 during NATO Summit in Warsaw, it was decided to establish NATO’s forward presence (eFP) in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and to develop a tailored forward presence in the Black Sea region. The eFP forces were deployed in 2017. As was stressed, “these decisions demonstrate Allies’ solidarity, determination, and ability to defend Alliance territory”.
NATO does not prepare for the war against Russia (or against any other country). NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states.
Read similar cases of disinformation in the database claiming that NATO's military activities in Eastern Europe aim to confront Russia or that NATO is conducting aggressive anti-Russian operations or that NATO broke the agreement with Russia and has a hostile plan.