DISINFO: Poland purchases F-35 fighters without any trade negotiations
SUMMARY
The F-35 are not necessary for Poland at all as these fighters are not designed for border states, which airbases can be destroyed within several minutes. Currently, no one threatens to Poland – it means that the F-35 purchase is realized under pressure from the Americans, without any trade negotiations.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin message that the United States manipulates or blackmails the Polish authorities. It is a part of a broader Kremlin’s narrative that Poland is a “puppet-state” fully controlled by the United States. The purchase of the American F-35 fighters is a sovereign decision of Poland, which will result in substantial improvement in military capacities of the Polish Air Force. According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Poland will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces. The Polish authorities have repeatedly stated that they carried out tough negotiations to reach the best price for F-35. The price negotiations took place after the approval of the sale of F-35 to Poland by the US Congress. Read similar cases alleging that Polish policy towards Ukraine is shaped by the Americans, the US keeps Poland on an anti-Russian leash, and Poland's Eastern policy is dictated by the USA aiming to weaken Russia.