DISINFO: NATO launches unprecedented activity near Russia’s western borders
SUMMARY
In recent years, Russia has noted what it describes as unprecedented activity by NATO near its western borders. The Alliance is expanding its initiatives and refers to this as deterring aggression. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the build-up of the bloc’s forces in Europe. The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that it remains open to dialogue with NATO, but on an equal footing, and that the West should abandon what it sees as a course toward the militarisation of the continent.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the European Union and NATO of warmongering . This claim was made in the context of the EU’s commitment to give Europe the military capability it needs to face today's threats.
This message promotes several other recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives, including the false claim that NATO and EU are waging a military campaign against Russia, that Europe is gripped by systemic Russophobia.
The need to speed up and ramp up efforts reflects the increasing dangers of today, as well as the evolving threat landscape which Europe and its Member States must contend with, adapt to, and prepare for. This starts with Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale military aggression against Ukraine. Provocations and acts of hybrid warfare against Member States, from cyber attacks to violation of air space - while not all attributed to Russia - are increasing. Russia has militarised its economy and society. In 2025, its declared defence budget will surpass 7% of GDP. Around 40% of its budget in 2025 is for security and defence. This militarised Russia poses a persistent threat to European security for the foreseeable future.
To address this, in March 2925 the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 has been introduced as a strategic proposal to boost European defence spending through various financial mechanisms.
In this case, it appears that the allegations were specifically crafted in the context of the NATO launch of the Arctic Sentry mission, which aims to strengthen the Alliance's defence and deterrence capabilities in the High North. With Russia’s increasing military activity and China’s growing interest in the Arctic, Allies have agreed to do more to ensure their collective security in this vital region.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission stated that: “A year after the EU adopted its latest Arctic Strategy in 2021, Russia – the largest Arctic nation – launched a full-scale war in Ukraine. That war has increased tensions across Europe, but also in the Arctic.
Moscow has re-opened and modernised Soviet-era military bases in the High North. One of the world’s largest concentrations of nuclear weapons is located on the Kola Peninsula, right across the Norwegian border.
The Arctic has also become a testing ground for Russian missiles. Europe must catch up with years of Russian military build-up in the region.”
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database alleging that Scandinavia and the Baltic states are preparing to open a second front against Russia, that Finland wants to invade Russia in Barbarossa 2.0 operation, that the West is aiming to open a second front against Russia, that the EU announced a war on Russia, allowing Ukraine to attack targets in Russia.