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Disinfo: Neo-Atlantist Poland, Baltic states and Romania are used by the USA as an instrument of pressure on the EU and Russia

Summary

Poland, partially, the Baltic states and possibly, Romania, believe in something called post-Atlantism or neo-Atlantism, which assumes the rupture of ties with Western Europe and its replacement with a union of Eastern European countries with the United States. This situation is important for the USA as it is used as an instrument of pressure on the EU and on the other hand, these states are used against Russia. The perspective for the establishment of such a block of Poland with the Baltic states and Romania is very real.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the US presence in Europe, alleging that the United States fully controls the foreign policy of the EU member states, including Poland, Romania and the Baltic states (these countries are often presented as American “vassals” or puppet states). The statement that the USA is using the “Atlanticist” Poland, Romania and the Baltic states against the EU and Russia is a conspiracy theory. First of all, the Atlanticism theory does not assume the rapture of cooperation of Eastern and Central European countries with Western Europe – this theory promotes the development of advanced political, military and economic cooperation between the USA and Canada with all European countries. NATO is an example of an Atlanticist organization, uniting the countries of North America and Europe in an advanced defence alliance. Some countries of Eastern and Central Europe such as Poland, Romania and the Baltic states have close political relations with the United States, but this fact does not impact their membership of the European Union. See similar messages such as Three Seas Initiative is a geopolitical concept designed to promote American interests, Aim of the Eastern Partnership is to separate Russia’s neighbours from it, and The Eastern Partnership Programme is directed against Russia.

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publication/media

Sputnik Poland (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 202
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 17/06/2020
  • Language/target audience: Polish
  • Country: EU, Romania, Russia, Baltic states, US, Poland
  • Keywords: EU disintegration, Encircling Russia, Anti-Russian, US presence in Europe, Conspiracy theory

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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Poland’s militaristic rhetoric and Russophobic sentiments prevent improvement of relations with Russia 

Warsaw is trying to play a role of some kind of vanguard of NATO in the East by repeating the slogans of “deterrence of aggressive actions” of Russia against Poland. Militaristic rhetoric and spread of Russophobic sentiments do not contribute to the development of good Polish-Russian relations, which have been very tense for a long time.

June 21, 2020
Disproof

This message is a part of the Kremlin’s widespread narrative about Russophobic Poland. The Kremlin-controlled media regularly accuses the political elites of Poland of Russophobia and the implementation of anti-Russian policies. Within this narrative, the “Russophobic” policies of Poland are often explained by the claim that the United States fully controls the domestic and foreign policy of this country (presenting Poland as an American “puppet-state” or a “banana republic”). The Polish authorities do not spread Russophobic attitudes and do not use “militaristic rhetoric”. The main current Russia-related concerns of Poland are a result of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Russia's armed military aggression in Ukraine. The Polish government shows its full support to solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict and complete restoration of territorial integrity of Ukraine. In the situation of the ongoing Russian military aggression against Ukraine, Poland supports the deployment of NATO troops in this country as this step increases its domestic security – two-thirds of the Poles have a positive opinion about NATO's activities. See other examples of similar messages claiming that constant intimidation with Russia is used to make Poland economically dependent on the USA, the Polish authorities created an insane hysteria of intimidation with Russia, used for the needs of domestic politics and the national security strategy of Poland is a manifestation of traditional Russophobia of the Polish authorities.

An EU leadership crisis was revealed in combating coronavirus

There is a leadership crisis that has become evident in light of the absence of unity of forces and efforts in combating the disease (coronavirus), among them the European Union … all of which formed discouraged state models in the face of the disease.

June 21, 2020
Disproof

This claim exploits the coronavirus pandemic to push a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU's alleged disintegration and a speculative claim about EU leaving countries to fight the virus by themselves.

The European Commission is coordinating a common European response to the COVID-19 crisis and is supporting the Member States in tackling the pandemic and in mitigating its economic consequences, check here to follow up the progress of support between the EU institutions and the 27 member states.

Western revisionism targets Putin

The historical revisionism orchestrated by the West concerning World War II is aiming to damage the image of Russia and of Vladimir Putin personally. Western efforts to rewrite the history of the war – like the 2019 European Parliament resolution which holds the USSR responsible for the start of World War II – are “Russophobic” and aim to discredit Russia’s President.

June 21, 2020
Disproof

This is part of sustained Kremlin’s campaign on historical revisionism on World War II in order to boost its legitimacy and deny the USSR’s responsibility in the outbreak of the conflict. The European Parliament resolution on the importance of European remembrance for the future of Europe stressed the fact that WWII was an immediate result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The resolution is aimed at the promotion of historical remembrance about WWII and condemnation of totalitarian ideologies. In the same context, see other examples of Russian disinformation narratives on World War II, such as claims that Western countries revise history to avoid responsibility for allowing Hitler to attack the USSR or that the Soviet Union tried to create an anti-Nazi alliance but the West didn’t respond or that the USSR had no role in the outbreak of the war.