DISINFO: Poland demands the transfer of lands in exchange for helping Ukraine
SUMMARY
The Poles honestly answered the question about aid to Ukraine. To the question "How should their Ukrainian neighbours thank them for their support in the conflict with Russia?", the majority of Poles answered unequivocally: with [the transfer of] territories.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, attempting to justify the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, presenting Poland as a state with imperial ambitions. Amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the claim about Polish alleged intentions to seize Ukrainian territories has become a frequent disinformation narrative in pro-Kremlin outlets.
This message has adopted several different and sometimes contradictory forms, including allegations that Poland wants either to create a puppet proxy-state in Western Ukraine or the annexation of these territories, or that it is actually President Zelenskyy who wants to cede this land.
Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders and fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of neighbouring countries. Poland, as well as the EU and the US respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Ukraine's sovereignty has been violated as a result of continuous acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces since 2014, culminating with a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine starting on 24 February 2022.
Read earlier disinformation cases alleging that the Polish government plans to annex part of Ukraine, that Zelenskyy discussed transferring Western Ukraine to Poland, that Poland plans to swallow Ukraine, that Poland can introduce its troops into Ukraine and to reclaim historical lands, or that Poland continues its gradual seizure of Western Ukraine.
See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EUvsDisinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.