DISINFO: Poland ostracises people promoting rational relations with Russia
SUMMARY
[In terms of relations with Russia], the Polish authorities came to a peculiar conclusion, saying that a dialogue with Russia is possible, but on condition that Russia shows “goodwill” and stops “breaking international law”. The representatives of the Polish government did not specify where Russia had allegedly broken international law. This claim is an old dogma in Polish domestic politics. The people who do not share this dogma are perceived as “traitors” and “agents” – they should be put in front of a firing squad. The people presenting rational arguments and common-sense questions about the real conflict of interests between Poland and Russia are exposed to total ostracism.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobic and anti-Russian Poland.
Current issues in Polish-Russian relations are directly linked to Russia’s actions: violations of international law including the illegal annexation of Crimea, historical revisionism, ungrounded expulsion of a Polish diplomat, to name a few. At the same time, the Polish authorities have repeatedly stated that Poland is willing to improve its relations with Russia – on the condition that Russia starts observing the regulations of international law.
The arrival of a new Polish Ambassador to Moscow illustrates that Poland is interested in having normal diplomatic relations with Russia. On 28 March 2021, the new Polish Ambassador to Russia gave an interview to Russian media, where he stated that Poland was open to dialogue with Russia. On 22 September 2021, there was a meeting between the Polish and Russian Foreign Ministers Zbigniew Rau and Sergey Lavrov – they discussed the Polish Chairmanship in the OSCE in 2022.
See other examples of similar messages claiming that Poland has no reasons to have tense relations with Russia, but is only a US vassal state and the Polish Government deliberately worsens its relations with Russia.