Disinfo: In the nearest future we may expect a provocation in Crimea from NATO

Summary

In the nearest future we may expect a provocation in Crimea from NATO. Such steps are necessary to either bring Poroshenko to power or for cancelling the elections.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about provocations and presidential election in Ukraine.

The disinformation message appeared in relation to the statement of the Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs that Ukraine needs to get back its occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 144
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05/04/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Provocation, Crimea, Elections, Petro Poroshenko, NATO
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Disinfo: NATO is the global fuse to ignite war

Today, NATO is the fuse the Anglo-Saxon powers use to ignite wars, just as the same powers instigated a war against Austria-Hungary and the German Reich. The same fuse passes over the Versailles treaty in 1919 and the Second World War.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, portraying NATO as a threat to peace and having a belligerent agenda. NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states. Its exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia – or any other country. NATO is regularly updating the military requirements for civilian infrastructure, at a time when there are increased challenges to security.

Disinfo: NATO cultivates Cold War block thinking and considers Russia as an enemy

NATO continues to cultivate old ways of thinking and the image of Russia as an enemy. One of the main objectives of the Western military alliance is still the “fight against the aggression of Moscow”. Moscow keeps calling for an end to Cold War block thinking. But that would mean the alliance having to search for a new meaning and new goals. For NATO it is easier to live with the good old enemy image.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, portraying NATO having a belligerent agenda against Russia. Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has introduced sweeping changes to its membership and working practices – changes made clear by its adoption of new Strategic Concepts in 1999 and 2010. Accusations that NATO has retained its Cold War purpose ignore the reality of those changes. Moreover, NATO reached out to Russia with a series of partnership initiatives, culminating in the foundation of the NATO-Russia Council in 2002. No other country outside the alliance has such a privileged relationship with NATO. As stated by NATO heads of state and government at the Warsaw Summit in July 2016, "the Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia. But we cannot and will not compromise on the principles on which our Alliance and security in Europe and North America rest".

Disinfo: NATO promised Russia it would not expand after the Cold War

In 1989 NATO promised Russia it would not expand after the Cold War.

Mikhail Gorbachev knew: If East Germany joins NATO, the Eastern European countries could then follow this example. But the West assured him at the time that the alliance would not expand.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation that NATO had promised that the Alliance would not expand to the East.

NATO Allies take decisions by consensus and these are recorded. There is no record of any such decision having been taken by NATO. Personal assurances from individual leaders cannot replace Alliance consensus and do not constitute formal NATO agreement.