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NATO officials are generally worried by the continuing efforts of the Kremlin-controlled Russian state media to deliberately broadcast misinformation and also falsities to shape the public opinion in the NATO member states, NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow told a joint news conference with Romania's Foreign Minister Lazar Comanescu in Bucharest on Monday. His statement was made as allegations were aired of nuclear weapons managed by NATO being moved from Turkey to Romania after a failed coup in Ankara.
As a general rule, he said, we neither confirm nor deny information about the sites of nuclear weapons, but we are taking very seriously the safety and security of nuclear weapons stationed in NATO member states and managed by NATO, and we are trustful that their safety and security are maintained. He added that the Allies do not intend, plan or see any reason why to deploy nuclear weapons to the soil of new NATO member states.
He also mentioned an attempt by the Russian media to misinform. Vershbow added that he cannot say with any certainty whether this is an example of Russia misinforming or Russia's efforts to advance someone else's misinformation, but NATO is generally worried about the continuing efforts by the Kremlin-controlled Russian state media to deliberately carry misinformation and even falsities in an attempt to shape public opinion in NATO member states. Romania's Foreign Minister Comanescu said he agrees with Vershbow's statement: "I fully agree with what ambassador Vershbow has said about the way in which certain information is being conceived and circulated, and I believe that has to be kept in mind when such information emerges, as well as to what extent continuing discussions about it or continuing disseminating opinions on such matter is useful," said the Romanian chief diplomat.
