DISINFO: Europe ready to harm itself just to harm Russia
SUMMARY
Regarding the announced NATO nuclear force exercises, the world is approaching a dangerous line with each passing day. There are no leaders in the West who could say: stop. Europe is ready to burn itself down just to spite the Russians. Therefore, all hope rests on the Russian army and the successful completion of the special military operation (in Ukraine).
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the EU of warmongering and portraying Russia as a peace-loving nation. This claim has been made in the context of NATO’s annual nuclear exercise ‘Steadfast Noon’.
NATO is primarily a political organisation and its mission is to protect its member states. Its military drills, including the annual nuclear exercise ‘Steadfast Noon’, are not aimed against Russia. Starting on 14 October 2024, this year’s ‘Steadfast Noon’ involves more than 60 aircraft taking part in training flights over Western Europe. Fighter jets capable of carrying US nuclear warheads take part in the two-week-long exercise, but no live weapons are involved. This nuclear exercise is a regular annual training event conducted every October. Steadfast Noon brings together 2,000 military personnel from eight airbases and features various aircraft, including nuclear-capable jets, bombers, fighter escorts, refuelling planes, and aircraft specialised in reconnaissance and electronic warfare.
The idea that Europe is acting in a self-harming way just to spite Russia is often presented by pro-Kremlin outlets and Russian officials. Europe has imposed sanctions on Moscow in response to its aggression against Kyiv, including the illegal annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014. More sanctions have been imposed since Russia launched its unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022. These sanctions have been successful. Some of these measures are long-term ones, so they are expected to yield results over an extended period.
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