Russian Ambassador to Iraq, Elbrus Kutrashev, in an interview with Al-Sharqiyah television, promotes
propaganda narratives that blame the West for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To justify this
aggression, Kutrashev distorts history, claiming that it was the West that instigated World War II,
whereas the responsibility lay with both Hitler and Stalin, as confirmed by the Ribbentrop-Molotov
Pact.

Kutrashev’s False Claims:

→ “The West planned World War II.”
Reality: It was Hitler and Stalin who led to World War II by signing one of the most treacherous
international agreements, the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, on August 23, 1939.

→ “The same countries [that caused World War II] have now planned a war against Russia.”
Reality: Neo-imperialist and neo-colonial Russia invaded Ukraine because it does not respect the
sovereignty of other countries and consistently seeks to expand both its territory and influence.

→ “Poland and the Baltic countries are non-sovereign and follow the will of the USA.”
Reality: Poland and the Baltic states—following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, invasion of
Ukraine, and numerous threats—have legitimate grounds for concern and an assertive stance
towards Russia.

Learn history as it truly is. Don’t let yourself be manipulated!

Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland under the competition “Public Diplomacy 2024-2025 – European dimension and counter-disinformation.”

The publication expresses only the views of the author and cannot be identified with the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.