Kremlin fueling anti-Ukraine sentiment in Poland, Tusk warns
Photo: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Getty Images)
A wave of pro-Russian sentiment, including hostility toward Ukraine, is growing in Poland. Politicians must stop it instead of going along with it, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
He stressed that the Kremlin was driving the rise of pro-Russian sentiment and hostility toward Ukraine. Tusk warned that Moscow was exploiting real fears and emotions to fuel this wave and said politicians had a duty to stop it rather than go along with it.
The Prime Minister added that this is a test of patriotism and maturity for Poland's entire political class.
Attitudes toward Ukrainians worsening
In July, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, said Polish attitudes toward Ukrainians and refugees had worsened noticeably in recent years, a trend confirmed by polls. He noted that the reasons behind it were complex.
"The reason is complex. Imagine: you have a flat, and you let a stranger in — not even a foreigner. At first, you get used to them, and things seem okay. But over time, it starts to wear on you, irritate you, cause discomfort," Bodnar said.
Russian drones in Poland
Poland has also faced recent drone incursions by Russia. On the night of September 10, during a large-scale attack on Ukraine, about 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace.
Tusk said the country's airspace was breached at least 19 times. Fighter jets were scrambled to intercept. Air defenses shot down four drones, and debris from 16 more was later recovered.
In response, NATO activated Article 4 of the Alliance. Poland also launched Operation Eastern Sentry.
On the evening of September 13, Poland again sent fighter jets into the air after hostile drones were detected in Ukraine's Volyn region. A Russian drone also entered Romanian airspace from the Odesa region, where it remained for about 50 minutes.
