DISINFO: NATO countries see Ukraine as part of the Russian sphere of influence
SUMMARY
The behavior of the leaders of NATO countries at the Vilnius summit showed that they still understand that Ukraine is an indisputable part of Russian sphere of influence.
They don't see this region as their territory. At best, they see Ukraine as a gray area where they can play tricks and pull the moustache of the Russian bear, which they are doing now. They do it with Ukrainian blood, because, of course, they are not going to throw their own human resources there.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about NATO in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. This disinformation claim aims to undermine Ukraine's independence and autonomy.
Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state with a democratically-elected president and parliament. Ukraine's sovereignty has been violated only as a result of continuous acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces since 2014, culminating with a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine starting on 24 February 2022.
Kyiv is acting in self defence against the Russian invasion as enshrined in the UN Charter.
Notions of “spheres of influence” have no place in the 21st century. Like all sovereign states, Ukraine is free to determine its own path, its foreign and security policies and alliances, and its participation in international organisations and military alliances.
To advance the idea that Ukraine belongs to Russia’s “sphere of influence,” Russian authorities and state-controlled media frequently claim that Ukraine is not a “real” state.
See similar cases that Russia alone won against NATO in Ukraine, that the special military operation is a proxy war between Russia and the West; and that the Ukrainian statehood is myth, its territory belongs to Russia.