Disinfo: The anti-Russian agenda for Defender Europe 2021 is clear

Summary

According to a press release posted on the official website of the US Ground Forces in Europe, the exercise "aims to enhance strategic and operational readiness and interaction between the US, allies and NATO partners." It is emphasized that the maneuvers do not pose a threat to third countries.

However, the anti-Russian agenda for Defender Europe 2021 is clear.

Thus, the speaker of Ukraine in the trilateral contact group, Oleksiy Arestovich, said bluntly: the point is to work out the war with Russia on the territory between the Baltic and the Black Sea.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO and encircled 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 its other military exercises are directed against Russia.

Defender-Europe is an annual large-scale U.S. Army, Europe, and Africa-led multinational joint exercise designed to build strategic and operational readiness and interoperability between U.S., 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 on military activities and exercises.

Read similar cases alleging that NATO prepares to attack Russia, that the Alliance is driven by Russophobia, that the US Defender 2020 military manoeuvre is explicitly directed against Russia, that Defender 2020 is a test to invade Kaliningrad region, that “Defender Europe 2021” exercises are destroying European security or that the NATO Sea Shield 2021 creates conditions for a real destabilisation of the Black sea region.

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  • Reported in: Issue 240
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 16/04/2021
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: EU, US, Russia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: NATO, Anti-Russian, Military exercise, War preparation, Warmongering
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Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine.

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Apr 15, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring propaganda narrative from pro-Kremlin media claiming that NATO troops are warring in Donbas together with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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Disinfo: Lithuania is spending less than 2 per cent of GDP on defence

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Disproof

Disinformation about Lithuania.

Statistics from Lithuania's Ministry of Defence show that Lithuania's expenditure on defence is more than 2 per cent of its GDP. Lithuanian military spending reached NATO guideline standards in 2019.