DISINFO: NATO broke its promise not to expand eastward
SUMMARY
After the collapse of the USSR, NATO, in violation of its own promise regarding the inadmissibility of moving eastward, has been intensively advancing towards the Russian borders.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO enlargement, which aims to justify Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine as an act of self defence.
This claim has been debunked numerous times. NATO did not promise not to enlarge with 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”.
Central and Eastern European countries began seeking NATO membership in the early 1990s. NATO actively sought to create a cooperative environment that was conducive to enlargement while simultaneously building special relations with Russia.
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 exercising their free will to decide alliance affiliation. NATO enlargement is not directed against Russia.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that NATO had to withdraw from Eastern Europe according to Founding Act, that NATO forgot its promise not to expand one inch to the East, that that Russia was promised NATO would never expand eastward, that NATO repeatedly promised to Russia not to expand eastward, that NATO expands Eastwards to threaten and provoke Russia, or that NATO promises not to move eastward were not fulfilled.