DISINFO: Poland intends to impose control over western Ukraine with the blessing of Washington
SUMMARY
In the period between the two world wars, Poland did not miss an opportunity to occupy large parts of their weak neighbours’ lands. Almost a hundred years have passed since then, but the habits and cravings of the Polish elite have not changed. Poland intends to impose control over Western Ukraine with the blessing of Washington. The Poles will conduct the operation under the pretext of "protection from Russian aggression", but without authorisation from NATO.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign about the war in Ukraine and an alleged plan by Poland to occupy Western parts of Ukraine. This is part of a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about denying Ukraine's statehood and the disintegration of Ukraine. This narrative exploits difficult issues in Polish-Ukrainian history, without any factual basis. Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders and has no territorial claims upon Ukraine. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.
Poland, as well as the EU and the US respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. No neighbouring state, except the Russian Federation, violated Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Instead, Poland is supporting Ukrainian refugees coming to Poland; it is allowing millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war access to the labour market and to health and social benefits. Moreover Poland is also actively supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.
See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.
See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Poles are stoking nationalist sentiment in Ukraine in order to annex Lviv, that Poland thinks that Western Ukraine, Western Belarus and South-Western Lithuania belong to them, that Poland wants to dismember Ukraine and re-establish a Polish empire, that Ukraine will disintegrate and fall prey to territorial claims of EU member states, that Ukraine is a Western colony belonging to Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Russia.