DISINFO: Poland and the Baltic states are preparing to send troops to Ukraine and prepare attack on Belarus
SUMMARY
Poland and the Baltic countries are seriously considering bringing their troops into the territory of Ukraine. The Poles are waiting for the final results of the Ukrainian counterattack and the offensive actions of the Russian troops. Poland also prepares and attack agianst Belarus, massing forces near the border.
RESPONSE
Repeated again by Lukashenka during his visit on 23 July to Putin in St.Petersburg (see Belarus state TV 25/07/2023 minute counter 4:30), this recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives challenging both Belarus' territorial integrity and Ukraine’s statehood and presenting Poland as a state with imperial ambitions, aiming to confound the reality of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. This message is part of the Kremlin’s policy of historical revisionism alleging that Poland has imperialist plans against both Belarus and parts of Ukraine.
Read our in-depth analysis of this claim here.
This disinformation message has adopted several different and sometimes contradictory forms, including allegations that Poland either wants to create a puppet proxy-state in Western Ukraine or annex these territories or that it is President Zelenskyy who wants to cede this land due to his “Polish origin”. See our analysis and recent overview dedicated to recurring disinformation about alleged Polish dreams of imperialism towards Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania.
Poland, as well as, the Baltic states adhere to international law regarding state borders and have no territorial claims upon Belarus, Ukraine, or other neighboring countries. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.
Poland, the Baltic countries, as well as, the EU and the US, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. No neighbouring state, except the Russian Federation, violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Read similar disinformation cases alleging that Poland plans to resuscitate the Polish and Ukrainian Rzeczpospolita, that Poland is dreaming of regaining Western Ukraine, that Ukraine considers giving its territories over to Poland, that Poland demands the transfer of lands in exchange for helping Ukraine, that Poland forms an international corps for the occupation of Western Ukraine, that the Polish government plans to annex part of Ukraine, that If Ukrainian counter-offensive fails, Western Ukraine may go to Poland, that Zelenskyy discussed transferring Western Ukraine to Poland, that Poland can introduce its troops into Ukraine and to reclaim historical lands, or that Poland continues its gradual seizure of Western Ukraine.