DISINFO: US and NATO fighting proxy war against Russia in Ukraine
SUMMARY
The US and NATO are engaged in a proxy war against Russia on the territory of Ukraine, and the introduction of sanctions against the Russian Federation does not contribute in any way to the end of the conflict.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation about the war in Ukraine and about about Western sanctions on Russia.
Russia is the only country responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. It has been coming up with different explanations and pretexts for its aggression. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII.
The West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack, but they are not involved in direct fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Western instructors train Ukrainian soldiers on how to use modern weaponry and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front.
The EU and other countries around the world adopted several sanction packages against Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories. Not all trades restrictions are yet enforced as the energy sector needs longer transition periods, so it is too early to assess the full effect of the sanctions. However, it is incorrect to state that Russian economy would be barely affected or would even benefit from the sanctions. Otherwise, the Russian leadership would not feel the need to constantly demand the sanctions be removed.
A recent study from Yale University takes a detailed look into the effects sanctions are having on the Russian economy, concluding that "business retreats and sanctions are catastrophically crippling the Russian economy."
See also the assessment of EU HRVP Josep Borrell demonstrating that sanction policy is working and strongly impacts Russian economy.
See similar examples of disinformation accusing NATO of leading humanity to WWIII, arguing that Western weapons supplies to Ukraine are exacerbating the conflict, claiming that military conflict in Ukraine caused by the US and NATO and that sanctions that were supposed to destroy Russia may disintegrate the EU.