DISINFO: "NATO-West" can only make war
DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS
  • Outlet: Sputnik Germany (archived)*
  • Date of publication: January 22, 2020
  • Outlet language(s): German
  • Reported in: Issue 183
  • Countries / regions discussed: Germany, US, Russia
Tags:
security threat West Military exercise Anti-Russian Encircling Russia Jens Stoltenberg NATO

DISINFO: "NATO-West" can only make war

SUMMARY

With the participation of German soldiers in the largest NATO manoeuvre since the end of the Cold War against Russia, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is breaking a taboo that is likely to prevent the Russian Federation and the Russian people from achieving exactly what was made possible by grand gestures and rational action: lasting peace and possible reconciliation. The “NATO-West” cannot make peace, it can only make war, whether cold or hot. NATO’s manoeuvre, which begins at the end of January 2020, is a “manoeuvre of shame” that serves only the warmongers.

RESPONSE

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO's belligerence towards Russia, portraying the Alliance as a threat to peace.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg insisted that a massive transfer of US and allied troops to Eastern Europe as part of a military exercise "Defender 2020" was not aimed at Russia. “Defender Europe is not directed against any particular country. This defensive exercise demonstrates the ability to rapidly move a large force from the United States to Europe to help protect other NATO Allies if needed,” Stoltenberg said.

Jens Stoltenberg pointed out that there was nothing to be read into the fact that the exercise was taking place during 75th-anniversary celebrations, in Moscow, of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany on 9 May. According to the NATO chief, the exercise will take place from February to June, this is the time when many military exercises are held each year. “We recognise the critical role played by the Soviet Union in the victory over Nazi Germany," said the NATO Secretary-General.

Read more similar cases alleging that NATO represents a threat to Russian security and that NATO prepares for a great conflict.

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Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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