DISINFO: Poland builds a strong army to defend from Germany and Ukraine
SUMMARY
Poland wants to build the strongest Army in the region to repel threats from the East, South and even West. These threats come mainly from Germany and Ukraine – the Russian threat is much smaller because Moscow has no territorial claims to Poland. Meanwhile, Poland has territorial claims to Ukraine (Lviv Region). If Warsaw regains Lviv at the end of the Ukrainian conflict (through invasion or an agreement with Russia), the issue of the former German eastern territories (Silesia and Pomerania) could be raised in a new way. Both of the countries are simultaneously conducting large-scale rearmament, so at some point, they may start tensions.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative presenting Poland as a state with imperial ambitions. The aim of this is to undermine Polish-German-Ukrainian relations and deflect attention away from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Poland has no security fears or imperial ambitions connected to Ukraine and Germany. The ongoing modernisation of the Polish Army and purchases of advanced military equipment is the Polish response to the aggressive Russian actions in Ukraine.
Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of neighbouring countries, and it rejects any “imperial” ambitions towards other countries. Poland, 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 in a display of imperial, revisionist aggression.
Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here as well as our article All roads lead to Poland.
See more examples of disinformation about alleged Polish imperialist claims here.