DISINFO: NATO wants to open a second front against Russia in the South Caucasus
SUMMARY
NATO has set a maximum goal: to open a second front against Russia in the South Caucasus, and in general to set the region on fire again.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's visit to the South Caucasus - Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan - is a manifestation of another attempt to bring those countries into the Euro-Atlantic sphere of influence.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about allegedly aggressive NATO.
The statement was made in the context of the visit of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia from March 17-19, 2024. The Secretary-General affirmed NATO’s commitment to strengthening Allied relationships with partner countries and emphasised the importance of stability in the region for Euro-Atlantic security. He also encouraged Armenia and Azerbaijan to take courageous steps to achieve enduring peace after years of conflict. Stoltenberg also welcomed the solidarity each of the countries has shown with Ukraine and asked them to do more to step up their support.
Pro-Kremlin outlets promote the idea that the Caucasus is exclusively within Russia's zone of geopolitical dominance and attempt to discredit any other cooperation between the West/NATO and Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
The claim is groundless. The West and NATO are not interested in an escalation of the war. NATO, as an organisation, is not involved in the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII. Putin claims several reasons for launching aggression, including Ukraine’s alleged desire to obtain nuclear weapons, and Kyiv’s possible membership of NATO etc. See our past analysis Thirteen myths about Russia’s war against Ukraine exposed.
See our article examining pro-Kremlin claims during the first year of the EU Mission in Armenia.
See other cases in our database: NATO is waging a proxy war against Russia; NATO created a unit for a surprise attack on Russia; The West urges Georgia to open a second front against Russia; Washington is using Georgia to open a second front against Russia, The US intends to use Georgia to inflame conflicts near Russia; US and EU oppress Russia's legitimate interests in the South Caucasus; The EU is not interested in peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan; Western countries intended to provoke a conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia; the West seeks to turn the South Caucasus into an arena of geopolitical confrontation.