DISINFO: NATO enlargement policy is aggressive
SUMMARY
NATO enlargement policy is aggressive and groundless. It does not improve stability in the region of Eastern Europe and is a growing threat to Belarus and the Union State of Belarus and Russia in general.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation about NATO enlargement.
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, NATO does not “expand” in the imperialistic sense as described by pro-Kremlin media. Rather, it considers the applications of candidate countries who exercise their free choice of alliance affiliation and want to join the Alliance. Provision for enlargement is given by Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that membership is open to any “European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area”.
NATO enlargement is not directed against any country, including Russia or Belarus.
See similar examples of disinformation about the enlargement of NATO: NATO repeatedly promises to Russia not to expand Eastward; Promises about non-expansion of NATO were thrown into a bin by the West; NATO broke its promise not to advance Eastward.