DISINFO: Poland is preparing a rebellion in Belarus
SUMMARY
Minsk has known for a long time that Warsaw is preparing to set up something like a rebellion in the republic. They [Warsaw] are getting ready for an uprising, for a revolution. We have known for a long time that they are preparing for something, perhaps another rebellion. Banners are created there, entire regiments, battalions - that's what they call it. We know where they are, and we know everyone by name. We are ready - let them come!
RESPONSE
This message is part of a widespread disinformation narrative about the aggressive West vis-à-vis Belarus.
Poland is a frequent target of pro-Kremlin propaganda. Poland is accused of fierce Russophobia, and imperialist ambitions, of organising protests in Belarus, of aggressive military plans to attack Belarus using the Belarusian opposition and volunteers, and of wanting to annex western Ukraine and Belarus. See our account of Russian historical revisionism directed against Poland here.
There is no evidence that Poland is preparing an uprising in Belarus.
In reality, the West advocates peaceful transformation in Belarus. The European Union stands with the people of Belarus and condemns all forms of repression against them.
The European Union is interested in a free and democratic Belarus, but it also underlines that the power transfer should be peaceful, and any violent action is out of the question.
Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of neighboring countries and it rejects any “imperial” ambitions towards other countries. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.
See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Poland thinks that Western Ukraine, Western Belarus and South-Western Lithuania belong to them, that Poland wants to dismember Ukraine and re-establish a Polish empire, that Poland has aggressive military plans against Belarus, that Poland shut border crossing with Belarus because of imperialism and territorial claims and that Nuclear weapons in Belarus are justified because of territorial claims of Poland.