DISINFO: Russian threat is a myth
SUMMARY
It is known that the US authorities and their NATO partners see Russia as "potential adversary". The alliance has repeatedly stated that the buildup of military power near the Russian borders will help to contain the mythical "Russian threat" and will allegedly help to strengthen the entire European security.
In Russia, such reasoning is considered absurd, especially since the numerous calls from Moscow to discuss the accumulated security problems were invariably followed by a refusal from NATO.
According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the alliance simply justifies the meaning of the bloc's existence after the loss of the ideal enemy in the face of the USSR by fantasizing about the "Russian threat".
"Now, just like during the Cold War, the struggle with Russia on all fronts, including information and propaganda, has become the raison d'être of the alliance," Lavrov said in an interview with reporters.
The minister also stressed that no real threats to security from his country emanate, and NATO's actions only contribute to the emergence of new dividing lines in Europe.
RESPONSE
Claims that Russian threat is a myth and Russia does not pose a real security threat is disinformation. The Alliance prepared a special defence plan for the Baltic states and Poland at their request after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The plan was put into action in summer 2020. Earlier, in 2017, the Alliance deployed NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) forces in the Baltic states and Poland. In Lithuania (as well as in Latvia, Estonia, Poland) eFP is assessed as “the most important of the security assurance”.
NATO does not seek confrontation with Russia. The Alliance underlined this position in the Brussels Summit Declaration in 2018. This declaration concludes that “Russia’s aggressive actions, including the threat and use of force to attain political goals and challenge the Alliance and undermining Euro-Atlantic security and the rules-based international order”.
NATO suspended practical cooperation with Russia in 2014, because of Russia's actions against Ukraine, including the illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea. NATO has a dual track approach to Russia: strong deterrence and defence, including through the Enhanced Forward Presence in Poland and the Baltic States, and meaningful dialogue. Learn more about NATO-Russia relations here.
See similar cases: NATO strengthen its power near the border with peaceful Russia; NATO use Russian threat to justify its actions; Certain forces have encircled Russia with an explosive geopolitical belt.