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Russia targets Poland with ‘hostile narratives’ on WWII anniversary: analysis

14.05.2020 07:00
Russia targeted Poland with "hostile narratives" as it marked this year’s 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, a Polish security official has said in an analysis.
Stanisław Żaryn.
Stanisław Żaryn.Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

Russia routinely celebrates the anniversary of the war’s end on May 9 while pursuing “propaganda goals” in the process, Stanisław Żaryn said.

He added that during this year’s “propagandized” anniversary, Polish security services identified a number of hostile narratives targeted against Poland as well as other countries.

 “Russian historical propaganda is an important tool of influence in Moscow’s dealings with other capitals,” Żaryn also said.

The myth of “the Great Patriotic War” has become a cornerstone of Russia’s internal and foreign policy, "and anyone—a country or an organisation—who opposes the manipulated version of history spread by Russia comes under fire from its authorities," according to Żaryn, who serves as spokesman for Poland’s security services chief.

“Around and during this year’s anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Russian propaganda pushed a number of narratives aimed to fulfil the Kremlin’s strategic objectives, Żaryn said in his analysis, entitled “May 9: A Propagandized Anniversary.”

He argued that activities undertaken by Russia “are constantly designed to promote its narratives and whitewash the role of the Soviet Union in starting the war, but also to denigrate Poland and the policy pursued by the pre-WWII Polish government.”

Another aim is to “stir up tensions between the EU member states and NATO Allies, and erase the Kremlin’s responsibility for the crimes committed during the war, including the Katyn Massacre,” Żaryn said.

He added that “by means of injecting propaganda and disinformation into the international debate,” Russia has for years been trying to “impose its false historical narrative” and achieve concrete benefits in its political agenda.

Additionally, Moscow “tries to legitimize its imperial policy,” according to Żaryn, who also serves as the director of the National Security Department at the Polish Prime Minister’s Office in Warsaw.

Overall, Żaryn argues, Russian propaganda aims to “blur the Soviet Union’s responsibility for the outbreak of the Second World War” and also “blur the Kremlin’s responsibility for the crimes it committed during and after the war.”

Russia also seeks to “portray Poland as a country where anti-Russian sentiment is on the rise and one that disrespects the memorials of the Soviet soldiers,” Żaryn said.

He added that the Kremlin aims to portray the historical policy pursued by Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries as a factor hindering relations between the West and Russia.

Stanisław Żaryn's text is available here.

(gs/pk)

Source: IAR, gov.pl