Russia pessimistic after U.S., NATO respond to Putin's demands over Ukraine
NBCAUG 2021
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
In light of Russia's troop movements and its imminent threat of invading Ukraine, these documents show the US and NATO are serious about diplomacy, while ruling out compromise on "core principles" such as Ukraine's possible entry into NATO or keeping offensive weapons systems out of the country.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns, at their peril. NATO broke its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification, and Russia must draw a red line at Ukraine.
Establishment-critical narrative
Tensions in Ukraine have their roots in 2014 when a pro-Russian government was removed with the defacto backing of the US. The US is largely responsible for the ratcheting up of tensions by delivering arms and whipping up a frenzy about Russia's troop movements within its own borders.