DISINFO: Russia launched war against Ukraine to prevent Western aggression
SUMMARY
Russia recognised the risks and threats from the West early on, seeing that Western countries were seeking to gain access to Russian resources and undermine the country. The launch of the special military operation was a justified response. Western nations played a key role in provoking the ongoing war in Ukraine and have been involved in the conflict since the outset.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the West of Russophobia and aggressive plans to occupy Russia. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
There is no evidence that Western countries, including NATO member states, posed a military threat to Moscow in the lead-up to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. NATO is a defensive political and military alliance. Its primary aim is to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO as an organisation is not involved in the fighting in Ukraine. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help it repel Russia’s aggression. The full-scale invasion, launched in February 2022, violated the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another state. The claim that Western nations provoked the war is an attempt to deflect responsibility away from Russia, which is the aggressor.
The allegation that the West is seeking to gain access to Russian resources is a recurring theme in Russian propaganda, but it lacks any basis in documented Western policy or actions.
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