DISINFO: NATO forces its agenda on Russia, dialogue impossible
SUMMARY
In spite of attempts at resuming dialogue with Moscow, NATO is trying to force its agenda on Russia as an ultimatum. Dialogue based on these conditions has so far been impossible.
RESPONSE
A recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media outlets, claiming that Russia is striving for dialogue with NATO and the West in general, while the Alliance is setting unacceptable conditions. In reality, NATO has been trying to establish relations of mutual trust and respect with Russia since Communist regimes started to crumble in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union in the late 1980s-early 1990s. In 1997, both sides signed the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation, which remains the formal basis for bilateral relations.
The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) was established at the NATO-Russia Summit in Rome in 2002 as a mechanism for consultation, consensus-building, cooperation, joint decision and joint action. The 2002 Rome Declaration on "NATO-Russia Relations: a New Quality" was adopted as a result of the summit. Among other things, the Declaration provided for “enhanced joint training and exercises and the conduct of joint demonstrations and tests” and exploring “the possibility of establishing an integrated NATO-Russia military training centre for missions to address the challenges of the 21st century.” NATO had been viewing Moscow as an equal partner up until Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014. Western nations imposed economic sanctions on Moscow, which have been amplified and broadened over the recent years due to Russia’s increasingly aggressive behaviour (see paragraph 3 of the NATO Brussels communique from June 2021).
In addition, NATO is a defensive alliance. Article 5 of the Washington Treaty says that its members are committed to the peaceful settlement of international disputes:
“The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered, and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.”
NATO is ready for dialogue and welcomes the discussion of all disputed issues with Russia. However, the Alliance does not accept the language of ultimatums. To resume full dialogue as equals, Moscow must act in strict compliance with international law rather than persisting in violating internationally accepted rules. In terms of former Soviet republics, the resumption of constructive dialogue presupposes Russia’s withdrawal from occupied territories in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. If Moscow abides by the internationally acceptable rules, NATO and the West in general will be happy to resume constructive discussion with it.
Read more disinformation narratives, claiming that NATO poses a threat to Russia’s security.