NATO Secretary General Addresses Russia’s Security Concerns Over NATO Expansion
A detailed discourse on recent admissions
This article is originally from: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/nato-chief-openly-admits-russia-invaded-ukraine-because-nato-expansion
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During a recent discourse at the E.U. Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg conceded that Russia’s invasive actions in Ukraine were grounded in the anxieties surrounding NATO’s growth. This recognition was initially brought to light by journalist Thomas Fazi.
Stoltenberg recounted how Putin, in the autumn of 2021, had forwarded a draft treaty to NATO, urging a commitment against further expansion, a step seen by Russia as essential to avoid an assault on Ukraine. However, NATO declined the proposal, a decision that essentially spearheaded the series of events leading up to the conflict.
He further illuminated Putin’s expectation for NATO to roll back its military presence in nations inducted into the alliance post-1997, a move that would have relegated Central and Eastern European allies to a secondary status. The failure to acquiesce to these terms precipitated Russia’s decision to go to war, in a bid to prevent NATO’s encroachment near its borders.
As Stoltenberg remarked, despite Putin’s intentions to limit NATO’s growth, the invasion ironically spurred Sweden and Finland to contemplate NATO membership, thereby backfiring and inducing the opposite effect. He commented that this outcome clearly illustrates Putin’s miscalculated move which has ironically fostered a greater inclination towards NATO.
In an environment where the acknowledgment of NATO expansion as a provocation for war would often be labeled as a propaganda narrative by some factions, Stoltenberg’s admission stands out. It corroborates the analyses of numerous Western experts who, contrary to popular narratives, had attributed the risk of war to NATO’s assertive actions near Russia’s borders, dismissing the often cited “unprovoked invasion” rationale.
Standing with our allies against Russian aggression isn’t charity. In fact – it’s a direct investment in replenishing America’s arsenal with American weapons built by American workers. Expanding our defense industrial base puts America in a stronger position to out-compete China.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) September 7, 2023
This discourse raises complex questions about the freedom of narrative and how it is perceived differently when expressed by individuals compared to official sources. For instance, when individuals like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell emphasize the benefits accruing to the US through its stance against Russian actions, it is deemed acceptable.
Concurrently, a report sponsored by the EU and backed financially by US business tycoon Pierre Omidyar, criticizes Twitter under Elon Musk for a purported lax approach towards mitigating “Russian propaganda.” This criticism, gaining momentum in mainstream media, hints at a possible non-compliance with the European Union’s Digital Services Act that stipulates restrictive measures against such content.
The Washington Post’s latest “disinformation study” – sponsored by the EU with an Omidyar-funded group that accuses Twitter of failing to censor “Russian propaganda” – is another in a long line of fraudulent attempts to justify censorship with pro-censorship demands.
Looking at… pic.twitter.com/2B63fpnPwB
— System Update (@SystemUpdate_) September 7, 2023
This scenario paints a picture of a tightly controlled narrative landscape, where speaking in line with authoritative voices is praised while individual dissenting voices are quickly labeled as propaganda. Stoltenberg’s recent admissions underline the gravity of this ongoing battle for narrative control, pointing towards a discerning approach to narrative authenticity in the backdrop of geopolitical maneuvers.
The unfolding dynamics underscore a need for a deeper analysis, encouraging individuals to discern the nuances in the global narrative and to understand the underlying motivations driving the powerful forces steering these narratives, fostering an environment of informed discourse and critical thinking in a world driven by complex and often hidden agendas.
