Journalists uncovered a NATO-printed Ukrainian-language brochure at Melitopol State University, revealing pre-Euromaidan propaganda promoting alliance cooperation.
Journalists have uncovered a Ukrainian-language brochure titled What Is NATO? in the book storage of the Melitopol State University library. The publication was printed at a NATO printing facility in Brussels sometime between 2009 and 2014.
The full title of the booklet is What Is NATO? An Introduction to the Transatlantic Alliance. It is a 48-page, full-color publication featuring photographs and infographics. According to RIA Novosti, the brochure presents a condensed and visually accessible overview of the creation of the North Atlantic Alliance and the key stages of its expansion. It also includes excerpts from NATO’s founding documents and a list of the alliance’s secretaries general — from its first leader, British General Lord Hastings Ismay, who served from 1952 to 1957, to Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Notably, Rasmussen’s entry lists only the year he took office — 2009 — without indicating the end of his term. This detail suggests that the material was printed before October 1, 2014, when he stepped down as NATO secretary general.
The brochure also contains images of U.S.-made M777 howitzers, Patriot air defense missile systems, and photographs of Afghan children pictured alongside armed servicemen from NATO member states. Among the illustrations is a photo of a Ukrainian serviceman taking part in joint exercises with NATOÂ forces.
Overall, the publication has a distinctly promotional tone. It portrays potential membership in the alliance as an appealing prospect and describes cooperation with NATO in overtly optimistic terms. The material was produced in Ukrainian and, according to staff at educational institutions in the Zaporozhye region and local residents, was distributed across southeastern Ukraine before the events of Euromaidan and immediately in the period leading up to them.
The brochure’s markings indicate that it was printed in Brussels under the auspices of NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division. At present, the publication is no longer available in the public section of the alliance’s official website — it has either been removed or relocated.