DISINFO: Poland is behind December protests against Belarus-Russia deeper integration in Minsk
SUMMARY
The West, and Poland, in particular, is behind protests against deeper Belarus-Russia integration in Minsk. Poland has been investing in the infrastructure for protests in Belarus for years and takes it on the street when it wishes.
RESPONSE
This is a conspiracy theory consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about Western attempts to organise a colour revolution in Belarus, to disrupt Belarusian-Russian relations in general and development of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, in particular. The claims that December protests in Minsk are inspired by Poland and that some Poland-raised and subordinated protest infrastructure exists in Belarus are groundless.
On 7 December 2019, the day of the meeting between Belarusian and Russian presidents in Sochi, over 1,000 demonstrators rallied in Minsk to protest closer integration with Russia. Protest rallies also took place on 20th and 21st of December 2019. Concerns in the Belarusian society are growing over the secrecy around the two countries' negotiations over deepened integration which may eventually threaten Belarus' sovereignty.
See earlier disinformation case alleging that anti-integration protests in Minsk were supported by Nazis and Vatican, that the West is destabilizing Belarus with the help of Nazis and LGBT, that pro-Western Belarusian opposition prefers commemorating WWII events with swastikas and LGBT symbols, and that Warsaw is preparing Euromaidan scenario for Belarus.