Espreso. Global

Russia claims 1939 invasion of Poland was to protect Ukrainians and Belarusians, Germany reacts

20 September, 2024 Friday
15:54

Germany responded to Russia's defense of its invasion of Poland at the start of World War II, which claimed that the invasion was intended to protect local Ukrainians and Belarusians

client/title.list_title

Politico reported the information.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry shared a video on social media marking the 85th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s 1939 invasion of Poland alongside Nazi Germany, following the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact that divided the country and sparked World War II.

“On September 17, 1939, the Red Army launched a military operation in Poland’s eastern regions, preventing the genocide of the population of Western Belarus and Western Ukraine,” the ministry wrote on X.

In the video, Russia argued that depicting the Soviet Union as the "aggressor" contradicts historical truth, claiming it had no choice but to invade Poland to prevent Germany from seizing all Polish territory and weakening Russia’s strategic position.

“The Soviet Union also sought to ensure the safety of the Ukrainian and Belarusian population in Poland,” the ministry added.

Germany’s foreign ministry responded to Russia’s post with a single word: “Seriously?”

It also shared a map signed by Stalin and Nazi Germany’s Foreign Minister Ribbentrop, showing the planned division of Poland, accompanied by the hashtags “#MolotovRibbentropPact” and “#HitlerStalinPact.”

As reported by Politico, Russian President Vladimir Putin has often used pseudo-historical theories to justify Moscow’s past and present aggression, including against Ukraine since 2014. 

  • American political scientist John Mearsheimer, in an interview on the YouTube channel Judging Freedom, stated that Russian aggression against Ukraine was driven by NATO expansion.
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
5 February
20:41
Exclusive
What Trump really meant about Ukrainian rare earth metals
20:20
Exclusive
Russian troops dig multi-story trenches hard to clear, says Ukrainian serviceman
19:54
Russia establishes new foothold on right bank of Oskil River, Kharkiv region
19:30
Explosion near Kamianets-Podilskyi recruitment center kills one, injures four
19:10
Exclusive
Killing of recruitment officer is consequence of Russia's special operations in Ukraine
18:45
Ukraine proposes storing American gas in its facilities
18:20
OPINION
Flaw in "everything was fine if not that damned Putin" narrative
17:55
Russian conscripts sent to Ukraine frontline despite Kremlin’s promises
17:30
Ukraine-U.S. cooperation goes beyond natural resources for mutual benefit — FM Sybiha
17:12
Italy's Bologna hosts protest against Russian disinformation, propaganda
16:50
Ukraine frees 150 defenders from Russian captivity
16:29
OPINION
Trump and Ukraine's rare earth metals
16:07
Exclusive
Ukraine lacks rare earth elements, Trump refers to other minerals — expert
15:50
Company news
How Oschadbank's mobile branch works: the case of Sumy region
15:48
Russia open to talks with Zelenskyy despite not recognizing his legitimacy — Peskov
15:31
Russia’s 'new' Krona-E air defense system: old tech in fresh package
15:10
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 29 – February 5
January 29–February 5 live war map: Ukrainian troops stabilize frontline, battle for every meter near Pokrovsk
15:00
OPINION
Ukraine needs elections, but war makes them impossible
14:43
21 Russian servicemen surrender to Ukrainian forces in Kursk region
14:26
UK Foreign Secretary Lammy visits Kyiv, announces $68M aid package for Ukraine
14:08
Exclusive
Ukraine's Khmelnytskyi risks halting energy security project without USAID funding — deputy mayor
13:50
OPINION
Does Trump have plan?
13:29
IAEA halts mission rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant over Russian security risks
13:12
Putin only wants Ukraine’s next president to be anti-West — Zelenskyy
13:00
Updated
Russian ballistic missile strike on Ukraine’s Izyum kills 5, injures 59
12:56
Ukraine's Defense Ministry deploys robotic units in military brigades
12:48
Updated
Ukrainian forces target oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, fire breaks out
12:37
Exclusive
Ukraine targets 30 Russian facilities in January — military expert Zgurets
12:15
OPINION
Exchanging Ukraine’s rare earth metals for U.S. military aid is solid deal. Column by Vitaly Portnikov
11:54
Russian conscription fails to offset battlefield losses — ISW
11:32
Review
Ukraine’s military reform: key goals, objectives. Serhiy Zgurets’ column
11:09
Ukrainian forces repel 35 Russian attacks near Pokrovsk, 12 in Kursk region on Feb. 4
10:31
Exclusive
Russia likely increases Shahed drone warhead to 90kg — Kharkiv official
10:13
Over 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in war with Russia — Zelenskyy
09:55
Russia loses 1,140 soldiers, 52 artillery systems, 9 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
4 February
21:45
Gimli robotic complex joins Ukraine's army, aiding in evacuation and resupply
21:30
Exclusive
When could Ukraine hold elections after the war? Lawyer explains
21:12
Ryanair plans to resume flights to Lviv, Kyiv 4-6 weeks after war ends
20:57
Black Sea tankers wreck: IMO holds Russia responsible
20:40
"Don't let them drain resources": military commander reacts to Trump
More news