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Disinfo: Poland may attack four European states, only Belarus is safe thanks to the Union with Russia

Summary

Relations between EU members are not perfect. The Poles, including many Polish politicians, believe the restoration of the Rzeczpospolita [the Republic] borders of the 17th century is historically fair. These borders include Belarus, Lithuania, a significant part of Ukraine and a part of Latvia. Under some circumstances, Warsaw may attempt to “restore historical fairness” by force. Meanwhile, Belarus is safe from this scenario, due to its allied relations with Russia, other countries have no-one to rely on.

Disproof

This message is consistent with recurring disinformation narratives about Poland's ''imperial dreams'', aimed at causing deterioration in Poland’s relations with its neighbours. Poland, a NATO state, respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbouring countries. Furthermore, Lithuania and Latvia are NATO members and therefore their territorial integrity is protected by other NATO allies contrary to the claim that these countries have no allies to rely on. See earlier disinformation messages alleging that Poland has plans to turn Belarus into a vassal, anti-Russian state with Belarus’ western part being an eastern part of a new Polish state, that Russia saved Belarus from Western bombing like in Yugoslavia, that the Polish doctrine of IV Rzeczpospolita is part of the US doctrine of global dominance, and that Poland wants to dismember Ukraine and re-establish a Polish empire.

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publication/media

Sputnik Belarus - Russian (Archived)
Sputnik Armenia - Russian (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 166
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23/09/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Country: Armenia, Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia, Latvia
  • Keywords: Union State of Belarus and Russia, Military, Conspiracy theory
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Zelenskyy stands for sanctions because it is a US initiative

Rightly, they claim why Zelenskyy stands for sanctions. Of course, he will advocate sanctions. After all, sanctions are an initiative of the American Congress and the Senate. How can the President of Ukraine say no, when the American Congress, the European community speak of sanctions?

Sep 22, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine's alleged dependence on its Western partners. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Ukraine is seen by the West as an anti-Russian project. Ukraine's current foreign policy towards Russia is not a result of western anti-Russian strategy but of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, including its annexation of Crimea and the Russian military presence in Donbas. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state with a democratically-elected president and parliament. The EU and US support the democratic development of Ukraine in accordance with the UN Charter’s principles of non-interference into internal affairs and respect towards territorial integrity and political independence.

Ukraine would apply to join the United States

If they (Ukrainians – ed.) decide to join the United States, there is no one to convince them otherwise. They will gladly switch to English language… You say, why wouldn’t they do it in another place? Ukrainians are such outsiders. They were exhausted with the Poles, then with the Russians, then with the Hungarians, then with the Romanians, then with the Austrians.

Sep 22, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine and Ukrainian statehood.

Ukraine is a sovereign state. The US is not controlling Ukraine, and Ukraine has no plans to join the US. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by most of the free world but is violated by Russia. The relations between the US and Ukraine represent bilateral cooperation between two independent countries. The US recognised Ukraine as an independent state on 25 December 1991. U.S. policy is centred on realising and strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous, and free Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures.

The EU does not accept Ukraine and is not even allowing its products into its markets

They call and promise (to join the European Union), but in fact they do not even expand relations in matters of duty-free trade. There are quotas for Ukraine’s account, which end from time to time … Europe could help Ukraine economically, just allow them to enter its market. But it doesn’t. Europe hides behind a mythical position of agricultural standards.

Sep 22, 2019
Disproof

Another recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Ukraine and its relations with the European Union. In June 2014, the EU and Ukraine signed an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which promotes deeper political ties, stronger economic links and respect for common values. See here for more details about EU-Ukraine relations. The total trade turnout increased to 50 billon USD in 2018. During 2015-2018, Ukraine also increased its exports to the EU from 13 billon USD to 23 billion USD. Overall, in 2018, Ukrainian exports to the EU increased by 13.1%. Now, the EU accounts for almost half of Ukrainian exports. See here for further information about the DCFTA and the cooperation between the EU and Ukraine.