DISINFO: Poland uses an imaginary Russian threat to justify its militarisation
SUMMARY
The trend of Poland's militarisation has been taking place for years. The supporters of increased American military presence in the country usually have only one argument: the Russian threat. The logic and the facts do not confirm the existence of this threat, but the Polish militarists do not consider the facts. They believe that Russia has aggressive plans against Poland only because Lech Kaczyński once said it. However, Polish militarisation increases the risk of a real conflict.
RESPONSE
This message is a part of the Kremlin’s widespread disinformation narrative about aggressive and militaristic anti-Russian Poland.
The claim that Poland modernises and develops its army because the Polish authorities want to use the army for aggressive actions against Russia is groundless.
The ongoing modernisation of the Polish Army and purchase of advanced military equipment is the Polish response to the current security crisis taking place in Europe. This crisis is a direct result of the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the large-scale military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The 2020 National Security Strategy of Poland states that the most serious security threat for this country is the neo-imperial policy of the authorities of the Russian Federation, pursued by means of military force (aggression against Georgia, illegal annexation of Crimea and military actions in Eastern Ukraine at the time).
See other examples of similar messages claiming that constant intimidation with Russia is used to make Poland economically dependent on the USA, that the Polish authorities created an insane hysteria of intimidation with Russia, used for the needs of domestic politics and that the Polish authorities want to use the Army to fight domestic riots, not Russia.