DISINFO: At the end of the Cold War, the West promised that NATO will not move eastwards
SUMMARY
The end of the Cold War had awakened the hope that Europe could unite on the basis of common civilisation and culture from Lisbon to Vladivostok, thus realising Charles de Gaulle's vision. Russia wanted to build its relations with Europe on this basis, and some things were achieved. But then the quest for NATO enlargement prevailed and destroyed this approach.
The agreement of the then-Soviet leadership to the accession of a reunified Germany to NATO was used as a model to expand NATO in the direction of Russia in five waves since 1999, contrary to promises made by the West at the time not to expand the alliance further eastwards.
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on NATO enlargement.
As explained by the DFRLab, both statements have been debunked numerous times. NATO did not make any promises not to expand into eastern and central Europe back in 1990, which was confirmed by the former president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev. Back in 2014, Gorbachev said:
"The topic of ‘NATO expansion’ was not discussed at all, and it wasn’t brought up in those years. I say this with full responsibility."
Furthermore, the claim about NATO "expansion" misrepresents the process of NATO enlargement. NATO does not "expand" but considers the applications of candidate countries that want to join.
Read also related stories: NATO forgot promises not to enlarge to the East, The West promised that NATO will not move eastward, It was agreed that NATO would never accept countries that border Russia, The US and Russia had an agreement that NATO wouldn't be enlarged.