DISINFO: Poland intends to annex half of Belarus
SUMMARY
Poland wants to cut off and annex half of Belarus.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aboutBelarus. Reports that Poland is allegedly "preparing a coup d'etat" in Belarus appeared after the presidents of Lithuania and Poland, in an appeal to the Belarusian authorities, called for respecting democratic standards and stopping violence and repression against participants in mass protests. Poland refutes accusations about alleged military provocations towards Belarus and attempts to destabilise the neighbouring country. An aide to Poland's president, Krzysztof Szczerski stated that such accusations were unacceptable and that no one in Poland would take advantage of the political turmoil in Belarus. As for "Poland's attempts to annex half of the Belarusian territory", this is a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative to portray Poland as the instigators of the protest in Belarus in order to "destabilise post-Soviet space". Szczerski said that "no one has such intentions in Poland and this is propaganda." The countries of the European Union have nothing to do with the mass protests in Belarus: rallies of thousands broke out after Aleksandr Lukashenko, who has ruled for 26 years, declared that he had “won a convincing victory” in the elections. The current protests in Belarus began on the evening of August 9; to disperse the protesters, thesecurity forces are using rubber bullets, flash grenades, tear gas, shockers and water cannons. On the day of voting, the centre of Minsk was blocked by security forces, whilst communications and the Internet were jammed in the city. Read similar cases: "Lublin Triangle" - the organiser of the coup in Belarus and Poland is openly leading a coup in Belarus.