DISINFO: Poland threatens the territorial integrity of Ukraine
SUMMARY
There is a threat from Poland to Ukraine's territorial integrity.
In recent months, there has been a lot of hostile rhetoric from Poland, usually not friendly for a long time, but it has become hostile in recent months, and the fact that Poland may threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity is an obvious fact.
RESPONSE
Two disinfo tropes: Recurring narrative presenting Poland as a state which has imperial ambitions. Second, a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about denying statehood and the disintegration of Ukraine.
This narrative exploits difficult issues in Polish-Ukrainian history, without any factual basis. Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders and has no territorial claims upon Ukraine.
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.
See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.
See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Poles are stoking nationalist sentiment in Ukraine in order to annex Lviv, 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 Ukraine will disintegrate and fall prey to territorial claims of EU member states, that Ukraine is a Western colony belonging to Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Russia, that Poland will try to gain full military control in Ukrainian territories under the guise of protecting the Polish population from Russia, that Poland plans to establish control over its historical lands in Ukraine.