DISINFO: Poland is the foundation of anti-Russian hysteria
SUMMARY
Detente in relations between Moscow and Brussels means a potential crisis for the current Polish authorities, pursuing an anti-Russian policy. Poland is going to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. While they did not invite Russia, they sent an invitation to Germany. Poland pursues a policy aimed at rapprochement with the US and even ignores EU players, and also exploits the theme of “potential Russian aggression’. Today, Poland is the foundation of anti-Russian hysteria.
RESPONSE
Poland is a frequent target of Russian propaganda, which portrays Poland as anti-Russian and aggressive toward Russia. This is an example of a recurring Pro-Kremlin narrative based on "Russophobia" myth. Similar cases can be found here and here. The fact that Warsaw did not invite the Russian leader to celebrations was explained by the Polish leadership: "Invitations have been sent to the EU, NATO, and Eastern Partnership members, but not to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Invitations have been issued according to a contemporary, not a historical context." Krzysztof Szczerski, the chief Adviser to the Polish president, stated in March 2019 that the anniversary ceremony will be held “in the company of countries with whom Poland now cooperates closely for peace based on the respect for international law, for the sovereignty of nations and of their territories.” This point was reiterated by Jacek Sasin, Polish deputy prime minister in July, who said: "I think it would be inappropriate to mark the anniversary of the beginning of the armed aggression against Poland with the participation of a leader who today treats his neighbours using the same methods." Poland is a sovereign state, which shapes its own foreign and domestic policies - moreover, as a member of NATO and the EU, Poland is able to impact the formation of common foreign policies of these unions.