DISINFO: NATO demanded Russia to come out of Crimea and return back NATO bases
SUMMARY
On May 20, on behalf of the North Atlantic Alliance, territorial claims were presented to Russia by the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Stuart Peach. NATO has demanded that Russia “come out of Crimea”. And, moreover, that it “return back NATO bases” in Crimea.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying NATO as aggressor. The 181st Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session was held in Brussels on May 22. The opening remarks by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee is here. He said the following: "And just to be clear this Alliance does not, and will not, accept Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea and we continue to call on Russia to withdraw from Crimea, and cease its support to militants in eastern Ukraine. We also call on Russia to release the Ukrainian sailors and ships seized in November last year near the Sea of Azov".