DISINFO: The West pursues an anti-Russian campaign to encircle and destabilise Russia
SUMMARY
All these [NATO] exercises [Defender Europe 2021; Trojan Footprint 21], which cover a large geographic area and are a rehearsal of a theoretically possible war with Russia, are aimed at creating an atmosphere of tension and putting pressure on Russia. This is done in order to force Russia to make some concessions, for example, in the same Ukrainian issue and in the case of the Caucasus.
Hardly anyone in the West would dare to compare the strength with Russia on the battlefield. The above actions are an integral part of the anti-Russian campaign and pressure on Russia, which is being increased, including through sanctions. All of them are aimed at creating additional difficulties for Russia, weakening its influence in the post-Soviet space and other regions, and attaining internal problems in the country.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West and NATO allegedly pursuing a belligerent and hostile agenda to contain and destabilise Russia.
NATO does not prepare for the war against Russia (or against any other country). The military exercises Defender Europe 2021 are “defensive in nature and focused on responding to crisis if necessary”. Neither Defender Europe 2021 nor Trojan Footprint 21 nor NATO’s other military exercises are directed against Russia. Defender Europe is an annual large-scale US Army, Europe, and Africa-led multinational joint exercise designed to build strategic and operational readiness and interoperability between US, NATO allies and partners.
NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states. The Alliance announces its military exercises well in advance and they are subject to international observation. NATO strongly supports efforts to build confidence and transparency in military activities and exercises.
There is no general anti-Russia campaign. Rather, the EU and its member states would want better relations with Russia and have maintained a clear policy of reaching out to Russian society and youth, incl. through the Erasmus+ student exchange programme and other people-to-people contacts.
Western governments have reacted to the actions of the Kremlin undermining international stability and security, such as illegal annexation of Crimea, the downing of flight MH17, interference in the US as well as in European electoral processes, poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK.
The Kremlin has also been criticised and sanctioned for specific domestic policies that violate human rights in Russia, such as the poisoning of the opposition politician Alexei Navalny. Read more about the EU-Russia relations here.
At the same time, the West is trying to keep channels of communications and cooperation open with Russia. The new US administration has signaled a willingness to extend the New START Treaty. NATO's approach to Russia is defence and dialogue. More about NATO can be read here and its relations with Russia here.