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Disinfo: The Russian delegation was not invited to the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II because of the Russian ban on the imports of Polish apples

Summary

Polish anti-Soviet and anti-Russian hysteria peaked in Warsaw’s refusal to invite the Russian delegation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. This is strange because other Soviet republics including Belarus received an invitation. All Soviet countries share responsibility for the crimes of Communism but in the end, it is only Russia that is blamed. The real reason behind Warsaw’s decision not to extend an invitation to Russia is not the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, but rather the Russian ban on the imports of Polish apples.

Disproof

This is a conspiracy consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West's anti-Russian actions. Poland's decision not to invite the Russian delegation to the commemoration ceremony has nothing to do with either the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact or the Russian ban on imports of Polish apples. According to Krzysztof Szczerski, an aide to the Polish president, Russia was not invited to the events in September 2019 because of its aggressive actions in Ukraine. Szczerski stated that the anniversary ceremony will be held “in the company of countries with whom Poland now cooperates closely for peace based on the respect for international law, for the sovereignty of nations and of their territories.” See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Russia introduced passport controls at the border with Belarus because of European fraud in food exports, and that Poland attempts to destroy the world order by not inviting Russia to commemorate the start of WWII.

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Teleskop (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 153
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06/06/2019
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Russia, Belarus, Poland
  • Keywords: World War 2, Conspiracy theory, Sanctions

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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