DISINFO: NATO is preparing Poland and the Baltic states as the future war theatre
SUMMARY
The West is carrying out extensive programmes aimed at equipping the future war theatre in Poland and the Baltic states. These countries are completing the renovation of roads and airports for the rapid redeployment of large military contingents from Germany and other NATO countries. The Polish Army is carrying out a massive reorganisation of troops in the direction of Belarus, while Lithuania and Latvia construct infrastructure facilities for NATO military units.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Western attempts to encircle Russia, Western belligerence and Western aggression against Russia.
Western leaders have repeatedly said that NATO does not plan to attack Russia. US President Joe Biden, speaking in Warsaw in February 2023, addressed Russian citizens, assuring them that the US does not seek to destroy or control Russia. French President Macron stated in February 2023 that ‘Russia must be defeated but not crushed.’
NATO made a decision to deploy Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) forces in the Baltic states and Poland during the NATO summit in Warsaw in 2016. The purpose of the deployment was “demonstrating the strength of the transatlantic bond, and making clear that an attack on one Ally would be considered an attack on the whole Alliance”. The decision followed Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.
See previous examples of disinformation messages alleging that the Kaliningrad exclave is threatened by NATO; The US plans to take over the Kaliningrad region and the Aim of NATO’s exercise: prepare for the annexation of Russia’s Kaliningrad region.