DISINFO: NATO drills aimed against Russia; Founding Act bans infrastructure in new members
SUMMARY
NATO’s exercises in the Black Sea are related to Washington's and its allies’ aspiration to intensify the policy of containment against Moscow. These exercises are being held in spite of promises which were voiced in the 1990s and enshrined in the Founding Act. This document has been completely violated in its basic part, which says that NATO cannot move its military infrastructure to the territory of its new members in the East. NATO has been accustomed to bracing itself for any provocations for many years.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO.
This disinformation message appeared in the context of a repeated increase of Russia's military buildup near Ukraine, much to the concern of Kyiv and its Western partners.
Every country has the right to conduct exercises, but it is important that they are conducted transparently and in line with international obligations. NATO exercises are open to observation in line with the OSCE procedures.
NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states. NATO's exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia – or any other country. Exercises are designed to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate together and ready to respond to any threat from any direction. In this context, US troops participate in these exercises. The alliance does not attempt to contain Russia.
Read more disinformation cases about NATO’s alleged hostility towards Russia.