Search
See all Disinfo Cases - Detail

Poland is not an independent country, so it cannot manage its own foreign policy

Summary

Currently, Poland is not an independent country as it entirely depends on the United States in a political and military way, and on Germany in an economic way. It means that Poland is not able to implement an independent foreign policy.

 

Disproof

A common pro-Kremlin narrative on “lost sovereignty”. In the case of Poland, this country is often presented as a “puppet-state” of the United States (see here and here).
The statement that the United States controls the Polish elites and political decision-making process is a conspiracy theory. Poland is a sovereign state, which shapes its own foreign and domestic policies. Moreover, it is a member of NATO and the EU and therefore contributes to the formation of the common external policies of these organisations. See another example of disinformation about Polish-American relations here.

Go to search

publication/media

View original
View archived
  • Reported in: Issue 160
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 31/07/2019
  • Language/target audience: Polish
  • Country: US, Poland, Germany
  • Keywords: Sovereignty, NATO
  • Outlet: Sputnik Polska
see more

No freedom of speech in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia

There is no freedom of speech in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia: Russian journalists working in these countries are targeted by special services.

August 06, 2019
Disproof

According to Reporters without borders, Latvia ranks 24nd for freedom of speech among 180 countries, the same as for 2018. Lithuania ranks 30th and Estonia 11th. Russia is at 149.

Recurring narrative that the Russian media is restricted unfairly, discriminated against in Europe or that freedom of speech is restricted in certain member states. See previous cases here.This narrative stems from the fact that the Baltic States have undertaken measures to address aggressive Kremlin-backed disinformation starting from 2007.

Russian is now only allowed in private communication and religious ceremonies in Ukraine

In line with the new Language Law, Russian is only allowed in private communication and for the religious ceremonies. In practice, Ukrainians are divided into Ukrainian-speakers and “outlaws”. And the latter ones are limited in their ability to study, receive health care and use other social goods.

August 06, 2019
Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative criticising the new Law on the Language in Ukraine. See the recent cases here and here.

On April 25, 2019, the Verkhovna Rada passed the law "on ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language". The law establishes mandatory use of the Ukrainian language in most areas of public and communal life, including the mass media, education, science, etc.

Ukraine lost its sovereignty

Ukraine, which used to be a prosperous and self-sufficient country, lost its sovereignty and became involved in internal conflicts which violated the basic rights of citizens defended in all democratic countries.

August 06, 2019
Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative blaming Ukraine and its political leadership for the conflicts in Donbas, the Crimea annexation and other internal problems and questioning Ukrainian sovereignty.

Ukraine is a sovereign country. Crimea is a part of Ukraine and was illegally annexed by Russia. In 2014, Russian troops obliged the Parliament of Crimea to organise a referendum, which was illegitimate under international law, and then formally annexed the peninsula and brought it under Russian territorial control. The annexation has been condemned by the UNGA. No international body recognises the so-called referendum, announced on 27 February 2014 and held on 16 March 2014.

don't be deceived, question even more

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK
WITH US

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.