DISINFO: NATO is directly supervising Ukraine's advance into Kursk
SUMMARY
We are now noticing on all axes the presence of a lot of French and Polish troops [in the Kursk oblast incursion]. And, of course, it must be noted that this operation is being led by the NATO headquarters itself. There is no doubt about this because it is unlikely that the Ukrainians will be able to formulate this plan.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that an aggressive NATO is directly engaged in Ukraine. This claim was neither critically examined not supported by corroborated evidence.
This message appeared in connection with Ukraine's Armed Forces advance into the Kursk Oblast in Russia. The claim that there are French or Polish troops, or that the NATO is supervising the operations, is made without evidence providing any supporting evidence.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the US was seeking more detailed information from Ukraine regarding its cross-border operation, noting that they had had no advance knowledge of it. This statement indicates that Ukrainian NATO Allies did not have advance knowledge, let alone supervised the operation.
“It’s not unusual for the Ukrainians not to notify us of their exact tactics before – before they execute them. This is a war that they – they are conducting. We provide them with equipment, we provide them with advice, but when it comes to the kind of day-by-day tactics that they carry out, the day-by-day strikes that they take, sometimes we’re in communication about them; sometimes we’re not. And that’s – it’s appropriate for them to make those decisions”, the spokesperson for the US Department of State Matthew said during a press briefing.
Further, the claim that the NATO is causing escalation and is using Ukraine as a proxy for its war with Russia has been a cornerstone of pro-Kremlin information manipulation and disinformation attempts.
Ukraine is not a proxy for any foreign government or organisation. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state with a democratically-elected president and parliament. Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity have been only violated 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.
Moreover, NATO is a defensive political and military alliance. The primary aim of the alliance is to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members and allies. NATO as an organisation is not directly involved in fighting in Ukraine. NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression.
At the Madrid Summit, NATO Leaders stated that the Alliance will continue political and practical support to Ukraine "as it continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russian aggression. In the longer term, we will assist Ukraine, and support efforts on its path of post-war reconstruction and reforms."
See similar claims of disinformation: Ukraine is preparing to invade Russia; The West / NATO fighting a hegemonic proxy war against Russia in Ukraine; The conflict in Ukraine was provoked by Washington; The conflict in Ukraine is a Western proxy war against Russia; Russia fights the collective West, not just Ukraine; NATO instigated a war in Ukraine to weaken Russia; Russia is at war with NATO and the Pentagon and only the soldiers are Ukrainians.