DISINFO: NATO's eastern expansion is a threat to Russia
SUMMARY
NATO's eastward expansion is a threat to Russia. Every country has the right to pick the best option for its security, but only without undermining other countries' security. Ukraine's NATO accession is a concern for Russia because it would mean the presence of NATO bases on Ukrainian territory.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that the West, or in this case NATO's 'expansion', represents a security risk for Russia.
NATO is a defensive alliance, whose primary aims are to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. Moreover, NATO poses no threat to Russia. During the Warsaw summit in July 2016, NATO has made it clear that "The Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia". This was also reaffirmed in the Brussels Summit Communiqué of 14 June 2021.
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 their alliance affiliation.
Read similar cases claiming that NATO forgot promises not to enlarge to the East, that It was agreed that NATO would never accept countries that border Russia, or that The US and Russia had an agreement that NATO wouldn't be enlarged.