DISINFO: Polish Public Broadcaster uses a map of the country with part of Western Ukraine
SUMMARY
Warsaw does not intend to abandon its plans to annex the territory of Western Ukraine, the population of Poland is slowly accustomed to the idea that Lviv and the territories around it are Polish. An example is a regular weather forecast, in which part of the Ukrainian territory is shown as Polish.
The Polish Public Broadcaster (TVP 1) aired an updated map of the country which included part of the territory of present-day Western Ukraine. The map appeared on the air of the weather forecast, where Lviv was designated as Polish territory, together with Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Volyn and a number of other regions of Ukraine.
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative challenging Ukraine’s statehood and presenting Poland as a state with imperial ambitions. Apart from smearing Poland, the aim is also to deflect attention away from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The circulated photo of a weather forecast accompanying the claim is a pure fabrication, and it was not broadcast on the Polish Public Broadcaster. The graphic design of the weather forecast of the Polish public broadcaster differs from the one presented by pro-Kremlin outlets and includes only the official territories of Poland. Read the full debunk at Myth Detector.
The disinformation message about Poland’s imperial intentions has adopted several different and sometimes contradictory forms, including allegations that Poland wants either to create a puppet proxy-state in Western Ukraine or annex these territories or that it is President Zelenskyy who wants to cede this land due to his “Polish origin”.
Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports and respects 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.
No neighbouring state, except the Russian Federation, violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It is Russia that started an unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. 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 actively 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.