Disinfo: Nazi-Soviet pact was not the cause of WWII

Summary

Russia has become locked in a dispute with Poland and the Baltic States over the origins of WWII after the European Parliament passed a resolution in September on the history of the conflict. The resolution claimed that the 1939 non-aggression treaty between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany led to the start of the war. The responsibility for WWII lies with the Polish elite who ruled the country in the 30s, who were the first to conclude a non-aggression pact with Hitler in 1934, who were allied to him, who participated in the division of Czechoslovakia with Hitler and who received territorial acquisitions from the Munich conspiracy when Czechoslovakia was surrendered to Hitler.

Historians in the West, in Poland, in Europe, in the USA even earlier have held the point of view that allegedly the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact initiated the Second World War.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative distorting the events of the Second World War and accusing Poland of historical revisionism.

The European Parliament resolution in question stresses the fact that WWII was an immediate result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. It aims to promote historical remembrance of the Second World War, and is supported by broad consensus on the causes of its outbreak.

The "Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact" was accompanied by a secret supplementary protocol on the delimitation of areas of mutual interest in Eastern Europe. In particular, Hitler and Stalin agreed to divide Poland. The agreement also indicated that the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, as well as Bessarabia and Finland, also belonged to the respective areas of interest of Germany and the USSR. Just a week after the signing of the Pact, the German attack on Poland started World War II. Two weeks later, Soviet troops entered Polish territory.

See similar cases about the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact here, here, here, here and here.

Read more about the Pact here.

Go to search

publication/media

sputniknews.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 183
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08/02/2020
  • Outlet language(s) English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: USSR, Poland, Russia
  • Keywords: Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, World War 2, Historical revisionism, Propaganda, WWII, Nazi/Fascist
see more

Disinfo: The EU imposes its aggressive policy on all countries

London intends to partially lift sanctions against Russia. The EU imposes its universal approaches on all (member) countries. This makes economic and political relations uncomfortable. Even the UK experienced certain problems with the approach of the EU and was forced to endure while being an EU member. As a result of the aggressive policy of the EU, many areas of cooperation were destroyed. This signal, first of all, should be heard in Brussels.

Feb 07, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the undemocratic EU and its sanctions on Russia.

The EU is a democratic Union of 27 Member States. The unique feature of the EU is that, although the Member States remain sovereign and independent states, they have decided to pool some of their 'sovereignty' in areas where it makes sense to work together. The decision-making structure in the EU is defined by the EU treaties. Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union ensures the principle of subsidiarity, which guarantees that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen. Learn more here.

Disinfo: UK wants to be in a leading position on the anti-Russian issue

After leaving the EU, Great Britain will not stop its anti-Russian policy. On the contrary, UK wants to be in a leading position on the anti-Russian issue.

Feb 07, 2020
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative linking the UK and Russophobia with no evidence provided. Russophobia is often used in pro-Kremlin disinformation as an explanation for anyone blaming Russia for anything. By accusing Western societies of “Russophobia”, pro-Kremlin propaganda outlets downgrade criticism of Kremlin policies and actions to being somehow irrational and not worthy of a serious reply.

Read previous disinformation message stating that Russophobia is an integral part of British foreign policy, that After Brexit, the UK will lead a Russophobic camp in Europe, "Great Britain is the main locomotive of Russophobia in the world", UK uses the Skripal case to become a leader of a new campaign of the West against Russia.

Disinfo: Polish president and his political party are against anyone telling truth about Poles' positions towards Holocaust

Polish president Andrzej Duda was not invited to speak at the 5th Holocaust Forum in the Yad Vashem Institute in Israel because he and his party are against anyone who tells the truth about the positions taken by the Poles towards the Holocaust.

Feb 07, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Poland’s anti-Semitism.

Polish President announced that he would not participate in the 5th Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, scheduled for the 23rd of January 2020 in Yad Vashem Institute in Israel because the organisers did not invite him to speak at the event, while the Russian president was invited as a speaker.