Tusk: Russia would be happiest to see deep crisis in Poland–Ukraine relations

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk made this statement on Friday, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.

According to Tusk, the Polish authorities realized from the very beginning that “nationalist fanatics on both sides,” as well as Russia, would try to take advantage of the tensions in bilateral relations.

“These insults and anti-Ukrainian and anti-Polish provocations make no political sense and harm both Ukraine and Poland,” the head of the Polish government said.

He emphasized that Russian bots are playing an active role in fueling the tensions.

“After all, it’s political 101: the Russians rub their hands together when they see that they can stir up an emotional conflict between Poland and Ukraine… They would be overjoyed if a dramatic crisis were to erupt in Polish-Ukrainian relations,” the prime minister stressed.

He stated that the Polish government intends to resolutely counter disinformation and hostile propaganda aimed at worsening relations between Warsaw and Kyiv.

The head of government also spoke positively about the meeting between the presidents of Poland and Ukraine, which took place recently on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.

“Public statements by both presidents indicate that they realize this crisis has gone too far and is harming both Poland and Ukraine,” Tusk noted.

He added that tensions in bilateral relations are accompanied by unfriendly actions in both Poland and Ukraine, and “this must be combated with absolute resolve.”

“I, of course, expect the Ukrainian authorities to counter anti-Polish excesses should they occur in Ukraine. At present, we are not dealing with any physical attacks [in Ukraine]. Unfortunately, such incidents do occur in Poland, and here, too, we will act without compromise,” Tusk stated.

He emphasized that anyone who attacks or persecutes people based on their nationality, race, or views is committing a crime, and the Polish authorities “will respond to this with the full force of the law.”

“After all, this is happening these very days,” the prime minister noted.

On the eve of the anniversary of the Volhynia tragedy, which is commemorated in Poland on July 11, the head of the Polish government called for a responsible approach to historical issues, emphasizing that the truth is an essential basis for Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation and the foundation upon which the European community is built.

As reported by Ukrinform, the presidents of Ukraine and Poland, Volodymyr Zelensky and Karol Nawrocki, discussed the war with Russia, as well as economic and historical issues, during a meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

The prosecutor’s office in Poznań, Poland, has filed charges against two men detained following an anti-Ukrainian incident at the Poznań University of Economics. Two more individuals are suspected of inciting ethnic hatred through online comments regarding this incident.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Russian agents and millions of trolls are attempting to stir up Polish-Ukrainian tensions, which has always played into Russia’s hands.

Photo: Office of the Prime Minister