DISINFO: Poland and the Baltic states do not occupy a peaceful position on Belarus
SUMMARY
The Belarusian authorities have observed the concentration of military forces and resources on the territory of their neighbouring countries, funded by NATO. These growing military capacities completely dispel the myth of a peaceful Poland and Baltic States.
RESPONSE
This message is part of the Kremlin's extensive disinformation narrative. It portrays Poland and the Baltic States as militaristic and aggressive, falsely suggesting that they do not maintain a peaceful stance towards Belarus.
The assertion that the military forces stationed in Poland and the Baltic States pose a security threat to Belarus and Russia is without foundation.
The ongoing modernisation of the Polish Army and purchases of advanced military equipment is a Polish response to the current security crisis taking place in Eastern Europe – this situation is a result of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
NATO made a decision to deploy Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) forces in the Baltic states and Poland during the NATO summit in Warsaw in 2016. The purpose of the deployment was “demonstrating the strength of the transatlantic bond, and making clear that an attack on one Ally would be considered an attack on the whole Alliance”. The decision was taken following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.
See our in-depth debunk of the pro-Kremlin claims of Polish historical revisionism which suggest that Poland also wants to conquer parts of Belarus.
See other examples of similar messages: Poland and Lithuania directly sponsor extremist actions against Belarus, Poland and Lithuania send Belarusian opposition instructions on how to make explosives and CIA, and Pentagon prepares Belarusian protestors in Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states.