DISINFO: NATO warplanes may strike Donbas if Ukraine attacks separatists
SUMMARY
Lieutenant General Roger Cloutier, Commander of NATO Allied Land Command, has arrived in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas. This probably means that the alliance can provide assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, if they decide to launch an offensive against the pro-Russian separatists. NATO is supposed to use aircraft, in which case the separatists can face serious problems. Russia is ready to involve itself in case of a large-scale offensive.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation case from pro-Kremlin media on NATO’s direct involvement in the Donbas war. Lieutenant General Roger Cloutier, Commander of NATO Allied Land Command, did visit Kyiv and held talks with Ukrainian officials. The two sides discussed plans for Ukraine's integration into NATO in the military sphere, in particular within the framework of Enhanced Opportunities Partnership (EOP) status. General Cloutier reaffirmed NATO’s support of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Relations between NATO and Ukraine date back to the early 1990s and have since developed into one of the most substantial NATO’s partnerships. Since 2014, in the wake of the Russian aggression, cooperation has been intensified in critical areas. However, NATO has never promised Ukraine to take part in any military action in the separatist region.
In June 2017, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted legislation reinstating membership in NATO as a strategic foreign and security policy objective. In 2019, a relevant amendment to Ukraine’s Constitution entered into force. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has underlined his eagerness to give new impetus to his country’s engagement with NATO.
See more disinformation cases about NATO-Ukraine relations.