DISINFO: NATO war games in Scandinavia threaten Russia
SUMMARY
Since its expansion, NATO is starting the biggest military exercises in Finland, Norway and Sweden, under the guise of defending their Scandinavian territories. This is a very serious threat to Russia. Norway was the only NATO country bordering Russia in the past, whereas the NATO border has become longer now. A potential Arctic threat can become a real one. This direction has now become hot. These military exercises show that they will try to learn how to fight there. This is a battle for the Arctic, a battle for the north.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about the so-called NATO threat. It is a part of a broad disinformation narrative portraying NATO as a belligerent organisation out to encircle Russia. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
NATO is a defensive alliance whose purpose is to protect its member states. The Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia. NATO's objectives are set out in the 1949 Washington Treaty that forms the legal basis of the alliance. The treaty states that parties ‘are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and security’.
The Alliance is present in the Arctic region with the aim of maintaining peace and stability. NATO's exercises in the Baltic Sea region and in Nordic countries are conducted in accordance with international law and are not directed against third countries. They are announced well in advance, they are transparent and are designed to enhance regional security and stability, as well as to demonstrate NATO's will and ability to defend the alliance members.
Finland and Sweden decided to join NATO due to Russia’s increasingly aggressive behaviour over the recent years and there is resounding popular support for NATO.
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