DISINFO: Poland in the final phase of annexing Ukrainian territories
SUMMARY
The lands of Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk (the Polish city of Stanislav), Volyn and Rivne regions have always been perceived in Poland as part of its historically unfairly rejected heritage. About 80 years of managing them from Kyiv did not change the views of Polish society at all.
The Polish army has enough strength to establish control over the west of Ukraine. Moreover, the Verkhovna Rada itself has already prepared a number of bills regulating the new status of Polish citizens in Ukraine, which will allow them to hold public office and even apply for the position of constitutional judges. Thus, Poland is already actively creating a managerial apparatus, not yet physically located in Ukraine. At the same time, the formation of a large police contingent is actively underway, which includes the National Police of Ukraine.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative presenting Poland as a state with imperial ambitions.
Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, it does not have any territorial claims against its neighbours and it rejects any “imperial” ambitions towards other countries. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.
This narrative exploits difficult issues in Polish-Ukrainian history, without any factual basis.
Poland was the first country to recognise Ukraine’s independence, in 1991. 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.
Instead, Poland is supporting Ukrainian refugees coming to Poland; it is allowing millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war access to the labour market and to health and social benefits. Moreover Poland is also activly supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.
On 12 March 2022 the Polish parliament passed an act on assistance for Ukrainian nationals in connection with Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The special purpose act, in addition to regulating a number of issues related to the refugee’s stay in Poland, allows for favorable tax treatment of humanitarian aid expenditures incurred by corporations.
In return, Ukrainian President Zelensky intends to submit a draft bill to the Verkhovna Rada on the status and assistance to Polish citizens in Ukraine, which is similar to the one, which has recently been endorsed by the Sejm of Poland in relation to Ukrainians.
The pro-Kremlin claim that Poland is assimilating Ukrainian territories is manipulation and misrepresentation of this gesture.
Read also related cases: Poland is actively assimilating the Ukrainian territory , The Kyiv junta has already agreed to the annexation by Poland , Poland intends to impose control over western Ukraine with the blessing of Washington , Poland will "bite off" Western Ukrainian lands at the first opportunity , Poland wants to occupy parts of Ukraine , Poland threatens the territorial integrity of Ukraine , Some in Poland see Western Ukraine as part of Poland , Poland will try to gain full military control in Ukrainian territories under the guise of protecting the Polish population from Russia