“This is a European problem and should be solved by the European Commission”, said President Andrzej Duda, commenting on the situation on the Polish-Ukrainian border and farmers’ protests. “Our problem is that we have a border of the European Union, we are the first country, the Union starts with us. Therefore, these protests are taking place in our country”, he explained.
Referring to the visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and other European politicians to Poland and Ukraine, which begins on Friday 23 February, Andrzej Duda convinced that a conversation should take place at this level.
“Because it is difficult to do any negotiations at the border, and besides, what should be negotiated there? That farmers should stop protesting? In my opinion, the farmers are right”, he added.
“For our farmers it is a question of: to be or not to be. And not only for our farmers. We are the first country from Ukraine, but there are other EU countries behind us. If food or agricultural produce pours in uncontrollably in a wave from Ukraine, it is obvious that everyone will suffer. And today, farmers are anticipating precisely that”, urged the President.
When asked whether the government should impose a unilateral embargo on Ukrainian products, as proposed by some politicians, the President replied that the government should consider different scenarios.
“One of the topics we discussed with Prime Minister Donald Tusk was the issue of closing the Polish-Ukrainian border, while of course ensuring the possibility of military and humanitarian supplies to Ukraine”, he reported. “I received an assurance from the Prime Minister that today such supplies are guaranteed, according to his information”, said the President.
Andrzej Duda announced that a conference on aid to Ukraine will be held in Paris on Monday 26 February. President Emmanuel Macron has invited several European leaders to Paris to discuss new proposals for solutions and aid to Ukraine. “We will discuss them in detail”, he noted.
Adrian Andrzejewski