DISINFO: Stoltenberg admitted NATO's involvement in attacks on the Russian fleet
SUMMARY
In Crimea, the recognition of the NATO Secretary General about attacks on the Russian Black Sea Fleet will be remembered. Such a public confession can be added to the bank of testimony for a future tribunal against warmongers in Ukraine. [Russia] is well aware that its fleet is fighting against NATO, and not against the mythical Navy of the mythical Ukraine.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about allegedly aggressive NATO. The claim was made in the context of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg presented the 2023 report, which covers all aspects of the Alliance's work over the past year. Speaking about NATO support for Ukraine, Stoltenberg noted that in 2023, a number of member countries sent long-range systems to Ukraine for the first time - British Storm Shadow missiles and French SCALP. The allies also agreed to supply F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.
Separately, Stoltenberg noted that in 2023, Ukraine succeeded in undermining Russian dominance in the Black Sea region. The Secretary General highlighted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces not only methodically destroyed Russian warships but also managed to organise the safe operation of a sea corridor for civilian ships in the Black Sea and establish cooperation in the maritime sphere with Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
Stoltenberg emphasised that all this testifies to the high level of professionalism of the Ukrainian Defence Forces. The Secretary General noted that Ukraine’s successes in the Black Sea were made possible, among other things, thanks to the support of NATO member countries, which provided the Ukrainian Armed Forces with modern weapons as important tools for countering Russian aggression in the Black Sea. Ukraine uses weapons at its own discretion, which is provided for by international law, in particular, the article of the UN Charter on the right to self-defence [cfr. Article 51 on self-defence] (see video from 19:37).
According to international law, Russian military installations, including the fleet, ammunition depots in temporarily occupied Crimea, and the illegally built bridge across the Kerch Strait, are legitimate targets for Ukraine.
The UN International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has repeatedly called on Russia to “cease its unlawful activities, to ensure the safety and welfare of seafarers, the security of international shipping and the marine environment in all affected areas; and respect its obligations under relevant international treaties.”
See other cases about NATO in our database: NATO is waging a proxy war against Russia; NATO created a unit for a surprise attack on Russia; West is waging an undeclared war against Russia and Belarus; Russia fights the collective West, not just Ukraine.