DISINFO: The Baltic countries, Poland and Ukraine threaten an intervention in Belarus
SUMMARY
The socio-political situation in Belarus is currently stable. Order and security are ensured in the country. But today there is a growing threat of external intervention from the territory of Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine.
Opposition abroad no longer see the possibility of so-called peaceful changes and are actively developing a scenario for the forceful change of the constitutional order in Belarus. The political emigrant centres continue to develop their so-called political project - a united transitional cabinet - and ensure that it is recognised and funded by the West as a government in exile. There is only one goal: delegitimising the current government and justifying terrorist attacks and sabotage.
RESPONSE
Аn unfounded statement to divert attention from the role of Belarus, another false pretext to justify Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Conspiracy about the Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian and Ukraine's hostile and aggressive plans towards Belarus. Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about alleged Polish imperial ambitions.
The claim about neighbouring countries wanting to attack Belarus is ungrounded. Poland and the Baltic states adhere to international law regarding state borders and have no territorial claims upon Belarus or other neighbouring countries. No neighbouring state, except the Russian Federation, violated its neighbour's (Ukraine’s) territorial integrity.
The disinformation article is also targeting the Belarusian opposition, alleging that foreign sponsors are using it to set up “terrorist” activities against Belarus. In fact, the West advocates peaceful transformation in Belarus. 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.
The article does not address the fact that Russia has started an unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine and its people. And that Belarus is an accomplice in aggression in this war. Belarus has served as a staging post for Russian troops, missiles and aircraft, both before and after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Although Lukashenko claims Belarusian troops have not joined the escalating conflict, Russian troops in Belarus have been allowed passage into Ukraine by Belarusian border guards and Belarus’s air defense and traffic control systems, along with the country’s fuelling stations, have also been made available to Moscow. Furthermore, Lukashenko has said his troops will partake in military action “if it is necessary for Belarus and Russia.” Lukashenka confirms that rockets are fired at Ukraine from the territory of Belarus.
The constitution of Belarus (Article 18) spells out its neutral status, which prohibits Minsk from taking part in hostilities (although the new constitution – the subject of a recent referendum – renounces Belarus’ non-nuclear and neutral status - see our article A Fake Referendum about the Rule of an Illegitimate President).
Contrary to the claim, there is a danger that Belarus will be involved in the War, attacking Ukraine from the north. The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has published a new video message to the citizens of Belarus, stating that Russia is preparing provocations on the territory of Belarus, that Russia is ready to do this in order to "draw Belarus into a war with Ukraine by any means." Representatives of Ukraine called on the Belarusians not to let them be drawn into the war even more.
On 2 March 2022, the Council of the EU imposed further sanctions on Belarus for its role in the Russian military aggression of Ukraine. The UK and the U.S. Treasury have also imposed similar measures.
Read earlier disinformation cases alleging that Poland plans to restore its control over Western Belarus and Western Ukraine, that imperialistic Poland and Lithuania are the springboard for Belarusian maidan, that Poland training Belarusian opposition for terrorist attacks in Belarus and that that Belarus moves towards complete colonisation by the West.