DISINFO: The special military operation aims to end the US dominating the world
SUMMARY
A special military operation aims to end the shameless expansion of NATO and the blatant ambition of the United States and its Western subjects to dominate the world stage. This domination is based on the gross violation of international law, and on certain rules which are now being forcibly promoted, and which are occasionally invented.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and NATO. The article claims that the US wants to rule the world through the expansion of NATO, and Russia’s 'special military operation' in Ukraine is aimed to stop this.
In reality, it is not a special operation but an all-out war against a sovereign state. Russia has been coming up with different explanations and pretexts for it as the situation has been changing. Denazifying and demilitarising Ukraine as well as ensuring its neutral status were among the main reasons for the assault at the beginning. Protecting the residents of the self-proclaimed separatist entities in Eastern Ukraine from alleged genocide and imposing the use of the Russian language in Ukraine were cited, too. Ukraine was also accused of failing to implement the Minsk accords, although it was Russia and its proxies in the region who were blocking the process of normalisation.
The US and the EU did not aim to dominate the world or escalate relations with Russia and were not preparing for a military conflict. Western nations have always been calling for solving all problems with Russia in a peaceful and diplomatic manner while upholding the rules-based international order. Moscow’s overall aggressive policy has led to a tougher and better-balanced policy towards it by the West.
Furthermore, the claim about NATO "expansion" misrepresents the process of NATO enlargement. NATO does not "expand" but considers the applications of candidate countries that want to join. Decisions on membership are taken by consensus among all Allies.NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states, so the alliance does not attempt to contain Russia.
See similar disinformation narratives alleging that Europe is occupied by the US and has limited sovereignty, NATO is serving one master - the US, Russia’s operation in Ukraine stems from the West’s desire to dominate the world and the EU is directed by Washington.
See also the Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War and The Chilling Background to the Kremlin's "No War" trope.