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Disinfo: Poland and Lithuania are directly controlling the coup in Belarus

Summary

The Lithuanian authorities responsible for the Belarusian coup intend to change the name of the neighbouring republic at the same time. The housewife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who considers herself the winner of the presidential race in Belarus, announced this decision. […] For several months, the pro-Western opposition of Belarus has been trying to implement a revolutionary scenario in the country. The coup plotters enjoy the support of Western countries. Poland and Lithuania are directly controlling the coup.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Belarusian protests. This same claim was reported already in November 2020 by the same outlet.

There is no evidence that Poland, Lithuania or any other Western governments are involved in the protests in Belarus. Protests in Belarus erupted to contest the results of the presidential election in Belarus on the 9th of August, which were not monitored by independent experts and are largely considered fraudulent by both international observers and a big part of Belarusian society. On 19 August 2020, the European Council called the Belarusian elections neither free nor fair.

In October 2020, the EU-Council imposed sanctions against 40 individuals identified as responsible for repression and intimidation against peaceful demonstrators, opposition members and journalists in the wake of the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, as well as for misconduct of the electoral process. See the full text and the Council conclusions (page 10).

Read earlier disinformation cases alleging that Poland is preparing a Euromaidan scenario for Belarus, that Belarus will turn anti-Russian in case it does not deepen integration with Russia, that the West's only interest in Belarus is to make it anti-Russian, and that the US plans to turn Belarus into its colony, a coup and foreign military invasion may happen.

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publication/media

News Front - German (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 227
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 09/01/2021
  • Language/target audience: German
  • Country: Lithuania, Belarus, Poland
  • Keywords: West, Protest, Coup

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 has no reasons to have tense relations with Russia, but is only a US vassal state

The current state of Polish-Russian relations is the worst since 1939 – the process of worsening of bilateral relations started more or less ten years ago. It is a certain paradox that during the recent decade, nothing has happened that can justify such an attitude of Poles towards Russia. There have been some unpleasant diplomatic tensions, but they are irrelevant from the point of view of history. There have been no armed conflicts between these countries, none of them made any territorial claims, etc. Nevertheless, the defence doctrine adopted by Poland assumes that Russia is its main threat. This situation is sick because it is extremely irrational.

/—/

The worsening of [Polish-Russian] relations is closely connected to the progressive subordination of Poland to the interests of the United States. Poland realises the following pro-American actions: support of pointless American political initiatives, purchases of the US arms, invitation of American soldiers to its territory and even demands to redeploy US nuclear weapons to this country. Poland purchases expensive American energy sources because it does not want to “strengthen Putin” buying Russian oil and gas. At the same time, Poland appears in conflict with the European Union, which is the most important structure for this country. The Polish authorities describe these extremely non-pragmatic decisions as the “Polish raison d’etat”. This situation is evidence that Poland has de facto become a vassal of the United States – we should replace the word “independence” with “protectorate”.

January 16, 2021
Disproof

Disinformation about Russophobic Poland controlled from abroad, in line with a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about “lost sovereignty”.

The Polish authorities have repeatedly stated that Poland is willing to improve its relations with Russia – these relations will automatically improve if Russia starts observing the regulations of international law.

Poland is “drug-addicted” to the USA in all matters

Roughly speaking, it is not Poland who decides about the direction of its foreign policy. In fact, the Polish political elites are “drug-addicted” to the USA in all matters. Simply, they look at the actions of Washington and repeat them. Often, Poland even forgets that it is a member of the European Union.

January 16, 2021
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about “lost sovereignty”. Poland is often presented as a “puppet-state” or "colony" of the United States. This narrative includes a message that the United States manipulates Poland and other European allies in order to carry out its anti-Russian policies.

The claim that Poland does not decide about its foreign policy is a conspiracy theory. Poland is an independent state, which shapes its own foreign and domestic policies. The advanced political, economic and military relations between Poland and the United States have a mutually beneficial character.