**Poland’s Presidential Election: A Battle Beyond the Polls**
The first round of Poland’s presidential election has come to a close, with liberal Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski and conservative historian Karol Nawrocki emerging as the top two contenders. According to official results, Trzaskowski won with 31.3% of the vote, followed closely by Nawrocki with 29.5%. The runoff election is scheduled for June 1st.
**The Kremlin’s Interference**
However, the real battle is not just about who will become Poland’s next president. Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has reported that Russia has intensified its disinformation campaign, known as “Doppelganger”, in an attempt to influence the election outcome. This campaign involves spreading false information on social media and through fake news websites that mimic Western media outlets.
The goal of this campaign is twofold: to sow discord and undermine trust in Ukraine, while also fracturing European support for Kyiv. By fueling tensions and manipulating public opinion, Russia hopes to gain an upper hand in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
**A Divided Europe**
The Polish presidential election comes at a time when Europe is experiencing a rise of far-right populist parties. These parties often promote reduction of aid for Ukraine, strengthening ties with Russia, and breaking away from the EU and NATO that form a united front against Moscow’s threats.
Nawrocki, the conservative historian, has vowed to block Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO until the exhumation of Polish victims of the Volyn tragedy is completed. This stance has sparked criticism among his opponents, who argue that he panders to the far right by stoking tensions over Ukrainian refugees.
**The Volyn Tragedy: A Painful Chapter in Ukrainian-Polish Relations**
The Volyn tragedy refers to the mass killing of approximately 30,000 Poles by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and violence against 10,000 Ukrainians during World War II. Poland regards these events as genocide, while Ukraine emphasizes the complex motives behind the Ukrainian Army’s actions.
Kyiv has allowed Warsaw to begin the exhumation of victims from the tragedy, but this topic remains a sensitive issue for Ukraine. Russian propaganda often exploits it to portray Ukraine’s patriotism and national identity as extremist nationalism, thereby undermining international support for Kyiv.
**A Choice Between Unity and Discord**
In contrast to Nawrocki’s divisive stance, Trzaskowski calls for unity and preserving good neighborly relations with Ukraine. As mayor of Warsaw, he has actively organized humanitarian aid for Ukrainian cities and refugees, emphasizing continued support but with conditions that aid be directed toward Ukrainians who live, work, and pay taxes in Poland.
**A Record-High Voter Turnout**
The Polish presidential election saw a record-high voter turnout of 67.3%, indicating that Poles feel the weight of this decision. As they prepare for the second round, Moscow is trying to choose for them by spreading disinformation and fueling tensions.
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