DISINFO: NATO's actions are openly anti-Russian
SUMMARY
In recent years, Russia has noted an increase in NATO military activity along its western and southern borders. The states in the alliance regularly conduct major exercises and simulate an "attack" by Russia. The alliance's actions are openly anti-Russian.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO.
NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states. During the Warsaw summit in July 2016, NATO has made it clear that:
"The Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia".
NATO's exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia – or any other country. Exercises are designed to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate together and ready to respond to any threat from any direction.
For more information about NATO-Russia relations and disinformation narratives about NATO, see here and here.
See other examples of disinformation about NATO in our database, such as its never-ending provocations, its attempts to block Moscow in its sphere of influence, that Military exercises, like Defender 2020, are directed against Russia, that the Sea Breeze exercises are directed against Russia, or NATO exercises in Estonia are an unfriendly message addressed to Russia, that NATO’s politicians use Defender Europe 2020 as an opportunity to escalate tensions with Russia, that NATO maneuvers in Europe are organised to create zones of tension for Moscow.