On Oct. 14 in Minsk, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ridiculed Polish President Karol Nawrocki over his comments about Józef Piłsudski, provoking a sharp reaction from Russia.
Nawrocki on Piłsudski
During a meeting with Belarusian political figures on 14 October in Minsk, President Karol Nawrocki said he regularly speaks with the spirit of Marshal Józef Piłsudski within the Presidential Palace and frequently discusses parliament. He claimed that Piłsudski’s characteristic quotations about Poland’s parliament have not changed, according to him.
Lukashenko mocks Nawrocki
In his address, Lukashenko referenced the war in Ukraine before attacking Nawrocki’s remarks. He declared that Ukraine must remain sovereign and independent, calling for an immediate end to the conflict or the nation could cease to exist. He then dismissed Nawrocki’s claim of communicating with Piłsudski’s spirit as “nonsense,” urging silence on the matter and labeling Polish people with a dismissive remark.
Russian Response to “Talks” with Nawrocki
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticised Nawrocki’s ghost‑conversations. Putin said Piłsudski had been hostile to Russia and that under his ideas Poland had made many mistakes before WWII. Zakharova argued that Nawrocki could have revealed such consultations before the elections and that questioning the frequency, decisions, and plans of those meetings would be neither normal nor appropriate, especially for a NATO state leader.
Propaganda Context
Note that comments from Russian and Belarusian officials are part of propaganda in those countries.
