Putin's 2004 words on NATO enlargement expose Kremlin's lies on Ukraine war
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russian propaganda has justified the war against Ukraine for years by citing the "threat of NATO enlargement." However, archival statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin himself shatter this myth, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi informs.
"Russian lies about NATO enlargement as the 'reason' for its aggression against Ukraine don’t hold water. Especially when confronted with Putin's own words from 2004. The Kremlin archives expose the hypocrisy," the spokesperson noted.
According to him, on April 8, 2004, Putin welcomed NATO's Secretary General in Moscow. He said, "Every country has the right to choose the option that it considers most effective for ensuring its own security."
Photo: Excerpt from a meeting between NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Russian officials
At that time, Putin also expressed hope that NATO enlargement would "strengthen trust in Europe and all over the world."
"Fast forward to today, and the same Putin speaks of Russia being 'deceived' by NATO enlargement, which presumably poses a 'threat' to Russia. Putin is a pathological liar attempting to rewrite history and justify his imperial war of conquest," Tykhyi said.
He added that Russia's favorite propaganda tale about NATO's "pledges" in 1990 not to move eastward toward Moscow has been repeatedly debunked.
"Including by Gorbachev, the Soviet leader at the time. The truth is crystal clear: NATO enlargement has never posed a real threat to Russia. It only denied Moscow the ability to conquer sovereign European nations. This is what Putin is really protesting," the spokesperson emphasized.
He pointed out that this has always been the driving force behind Central and Eastern European countries’ desire to join NATO.
"To protect their children from Russia's war and attempts at colonial domination. Keep this in mind next time you hear Putin or anyone else talking about Russia being 'provoked' to attack its neighbours by NATO," he concluded.
The risk of war between Russia and NATO
Russia constantly plays on the issue of Ukraine’s NATO membership. Before the 2022 invasion, Putin's administration claimed that Russia was witnessing a "gradual NATO invasion" of Ukraine and that Moscow could no longer tolerate it.
It is worth noting that after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, relations between the Kremlin and NATO became even more tense.
Russian authorities periodically threaten Alliance countries. They use nuclear rhetoric and hold provocative military exercises near NATO borders.
Despite this, Western partners continue to support Ukraine. They supply weapons and increase sanctions against Russia.
However, last year, Estonian intelligence reported that Russia is actively preparing for a new military conflict, which could include clashes with NATO. Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also acknowledged the possibility of war between Russia and NATO. He called on allies to be ready for potential threats.
