Fact Check: Nato wanted to put missiles in Ukraine before 2022

Fact Check: "NATO Wanted to Put Missiles in Ukraine Before 2022"

What We Know

The claim that NATO wanted to place missiles in Ukraine before 2022 is rooted in the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding NATO's relationship with Ukraine and Russia. In December 2021, Russia issued an ultimatum to NATO, demanding that NATO refrain from expanding further eastward, particularly concerning Ukraine, and included a call for a ban on the deployment of missiles in Ukraine (source-4). This demand indicates that Russia perceived a potential NATO missile deployment in Ukraine as a significant threat.

Furthermore, NATO's strategic posture has evolved over the years, particularly in response to Russian aggression. The 2022 NATO Strategic Concept acknowledged the need for enhanced deterrence and defense measures, but it did not explicitly state intentions to deploy missiles in Ukraine prior to the Russian invasion (source-3).

In the lead-up to the invasion, NATO allies were primarily focused on providing military assistance and training to Ukraine rather than establishing permanent missile bases (source-2). The U.S. and its allies have since provided various military equipment to Ukraine, including air defense systems, but this support escalated significantly only after the invasion began in February 2022.

Analysis

The assertion that NATO intended to place missiles in Ukraine before 2022 lacks concrete evidence. The Russian ultimatum in December 2021 highlights Russia's concerns about NATO's military presence in Ukraine but does not confirm any NATO plans to deploy missiles. The strategic discussions within NATO during this period focused more on deterrence and defense rather than offensive deployments in Ukraine (source-4).

Moreover, NATO's military assistance to Ukraine prior to the invasion was largely defensive in nature, aimed at enhancing Ukraine's capabilities to defend itself against potential aggression (source-1). The lack of specific plans or announcements regarding missile deployments in Ukraine from NATO or its member states further complicates the validity of the claim.

The sources consulted present a mixed picture. While they indicate that NATO was increasing its support for Ukraine, they do not substantiate claims of missile deployments being planned. The reliability of the sources varies; official government releases (source-1) are generally credible, while interpretations from media outlets (source-6) and analyses may carry inherent biases based on their editorial perspectives.

Conclusion

The claim that NATO wanted to put missiles in Ukraine before 2022 is not supported by substantial evidence. While there were discussions and concerns about NATO's military presence in Eastern Europe, particularly from Russia's perspective, there is no definitive proof of NATO planning to deploy missiles in Ukraine prior to the Russian invasion. Therefore, the verdict is Needs Research as further investigation and more comprehensive evidence are required to clarify NATO's intentions and actions regarding missile deployments in Ukraine.

Fact Check: Nato wanted to put missiles in Ukraine before 2022