DISINFO: NATO absorbed Eastern European states orphaned by Soviet collapse
SUMMARY
NATO has become a purely geopolitical project aimed at taking over territories orphaned by the collapse of the Warsaw Treaty Organisation and the Soviet Union.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, claiming that NATO is a hostile military bloc.
The claim alleging that NATO "absorbed" certain states misrepresents the nature of the alliance. NATO, as a defensive alliance, is not “absorbing countries” in the imperialistic sense. Countries wanting to join can apply and decisions regarding NATO membership are up to each individual applicant and the current 30 NATO allies. Every sovereign state can choose its path and bordering states – in this case Russia – have no right to intervene or veto.
NATO is a defensive alliance, whose primary aims are to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. Moreover, NATO poses no threat to Russia. During the Warsaw summit in July 2016, NATO made it clear that "The Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia". This was also reaffirmed in the Brussels Summit Communiqué of 14 June 2021.
See here for more debunks of pro-Kremlin disinformation related to escallation at Ukraine's borders.