Photo: Government of North Macedonia
This article was first published by Truthmeter.mk (North Macedonia), within the framework of Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Project.
NATO is not at war with Russia and is not a party to the war, but supports Ukraine’s right to defend itself and provides support for the country’s long-term restoration. The war in Ukraine was started by Russia, and the EU and NATO do not want a conflict with Russia at all. The EU is also helping Ukraine recover from the damage Russia has caused since 2022 when it bombed the country
We analyze a Facebook post that says:
Moscow: NATO and the EU want war with Russia. Whose side will we be on? You faggots, you’ve lost 100 wars and you still don’t understand.
It is not true that NATO and the EU “want war with Russia.” NATO condemns Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, which is an independent, democratic country, and a close NATO partner. NATO and its allies continue to provide tremendous support to Ukraine, helping it to uphold its fundamental right to self-defense.
NATO welcomes the efforts to negotiate a just and lasting peace as soon as possible. It is crucial that peace is secured with a sustainable deal, so that Russia never again attacks Ukraine or threatens any part of NATO. This will require security arrangements for Ukraine, and many Allies are actively discussing what that might entail. To reach a just and lasting peace, Ukraine has to be in the strongest possible position on the battlefield, and NATO Allies continue to provide Ukraine with extensive military assistance. NATO’s support is not intended to prolong the war but to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself today and deter future aggression, NATO’s website says.
As EUvsDisinfo notes, the narrative that “financial support for Ukraine by EU countries is actually confirmation that the EU wants the war to continue” is an already exploited disinformation story, despite the fact that the war in Ukraine is the responsibility of Russia, which launched the unprovoked military invasion.
The EU is also helping Ukraine recover from the damage Russia has caused since 2022 when it bombed the country.
Ukraine’s military has done what many said was impossible. They reached holding back the Russians and crippling their navy and their bomber fleet. This is impressive. Ukraine is a frontier of military innovation, but Russia’s arms race continues. This is war from Russia of resources and competing defense systems as much as it is a war of values. So we must continue to invest in Ukraine’s defense and tech primacy. Our defense readiness 2030 plan will be key. It will make available the necessary resources and fiscal space to deliver a surge in military capabilities, emphasized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which is taking place in Rome this year.
She also spoke about the funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine after the military invasion by Russia, or rather, what its future represents. The attempt to portray the European Union as an enemy of the world and of Ukraine, in the sense that the EU wants Ukraine to be at war and for the war to continue, is unprincipled and untrue, because the EU sided with Ukrainian self-defense for no other reason–but because Russia attacked Ukraine.
Russia started the war against Ukraine without being threatened by Ukraine or any other country in Europe.
It illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and proceeded to seize territory in Donetsk and Luhansk. And in 2022, with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War 2. Russia has struck hospitals, schools, and shopping malls. Russia bombs civilian power and water infrastructure. Russia is killing Ukrainian civilians. Ukraine has the right, and the responsibility to protect its people. Self-defence is a fundamental right, which is enshrined in the UN Charter. And NATO has the right to support Ukraine as it seeks to uphold its right to self-defence and to prevail as a sovereign state in Europe. Self-defence and the support of self-defence is in line with international law, NATO’s website says.
The fact that the statement in the post we are reviewing, “that NATO and the EU want war with Russia,” is not true is also proven by the fact that EU leaders have repeatedly called on Russia to cease its military actions, unconditionally withdraw all forces and military equipment from Ukraine, and fully respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.
NATO is not at war with Russia and is not a party to the war Russia is waging on Ukraine. NATO supports Ukraine in its right to self-defense as enshrined in the UN Charter. We do not seek confrontation with Russia. In response to Russia’s aggressive actions, we continue to strengthen our deterrence and defence to make sure there is no room for misunderstanding that NATO is ready to protect and defend every Ally. NATO is a defensive Alliance. Our core task is to keep our nations safe, says on NATO’s website where pro-Russian disinformation is debunked.
The same page where pro-Russian disinformation is debunked states that “Russia wants to establish spheres of influence and control other countries through coercion, subversion, aggression and annexation” and that it “uses conventional, cyber and hybrid means–including disinformation–against NATO Allies and partners.”
NATO does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia. The Alliance will continue to respond to Russian threats and actions in a united and responsible way. We are strengthening our deterrence and defence, supporting our partners, and enhancing our resilience. This includes calling out Russia’s actions and countering disinformation, NATO’s website says.
The war in Ukraine has brought numerous human casualties and economic consequences for the entire world, and stopping it is the best option, but the conditions for that cessation of the war have yet to be agreed upon and specified and be acceptable to the Ukrainian side.
Due to all the above facts, we assess the publication we are reviewing as untrue.
