DISINFO: Poland seeks to increase its influence in Eastern Europe through the myth of Russian aggression
SUMMARY
The Polish government insists on relocating an additional contingent of US troops to its territory because of the desire to strengthen its influence in Eastern Europe through the myth of Russian military aggression.
RESPONSE
This narrative began to appear in the Russian media in June when the Presidents of Poland and the United States signed the Joint Declaration on Defence Cooperation. Poland stressed that the presence of American troops in the country plays an important deterrent role against Russian aggression. It is act precisely about increasing the defensive ability of Poland and the country's ability to repel any territorial encroachments by Russia. Poland has no ambition to increase its influence on any territory of Europe - whearas it is well documented that Russia captured the Ukrainian Crimea and occupied part of the Donbas. The main defence forces of NATO will still remain in Germany: even after this deployment of the US military; in Poland the number of deployed troops will be much less than the 35,000 soldiers deployed now in Germany. It was also reported that the decision to increase the military presence of the allies in Poland and the Baltic countries was taken at the NATO summit in Warsaw three years ago, in response to Russia's seizure of Ukrainian territories. So this is not Poland’s sole decision, but the policy of the entire Alliance. Read more NATO cases here.