DISINFO: Poland wishes to annex Lithuanian territory
SUMMARY
Poland has old territorial claims against Lithuania. In 1922-1939, a significant part of the territory of modern Lithuania, including its capital Vilnius, was part of Poland. And Poland still has the idea of regaining it. Polish authorities has been creating such conditions, under which Lithuania will depend on Poland politically and even military. The last step in this process could be the merging Lithuanian territories under the pretext of uniting efforts against Russia. At least Warsaw can at any moment intensify such discussions which will lead to the joining of a part of Lithuanian territory to Poland. […] Lithuania should be on the alert while completely trusting Poland. Following the citizens leaving for work in Poland, Lithuania may lose also part of its territories.
RESPONSE
Disinformation about relations between Poland and Lithuania. The countries are neighbours, close partners and NATO allies. Lithuania and Poland have a long and shared history. The 1994 Polish-Lithuanian Friendship Treaty lays down the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity as a foundation of bilateral ties, and affirms that the two countries "do not have territorial claims against one another, nor will they issue any such claims in the future" (Art. 2(2)). The disinformation message appeared in the context of the Lublin Triangle cooperation format, which is a new regional initiative signed by Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian ministers of foreign affairs. In a Joint Declaration, the foreign ministers of the three countries emphasized that the countries are committed to upholding the international law, to broaden military-to-military cooperation, to further support the Eastern Partnership program, to provide support in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, to promote mutual trade and investments, and to secure better access to regional infrastructure. Pro-Kremlin disinformation frequently presents Poland as having imperial ambitions, see previous related disinformation cases here.