Russia is the most interested in worsening relations between Poland and Ukraine and would be “the happiest” if a deep political crisis emerged between the two countries.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk made the statement on Friday.
According to Tusk, the Polish authorities understood from the very beginning that tensions in bilateral relations would be exploited by “nationalist extremists on both sides” as well as by Russia.
“These insults and anti-Ukrainian and anti-Polish provocations have no political purpose and harm both Ukraine and Poland,” the Polish prime minister said.
He emphasized that Russian bots play an active role in fueling tensions.
“Ultimately, it is political common sense: Russians are rubbing their hands when they see that they can inflame an emotional conflict between Poland and Ukraine… They would be the happiest if it led to a dramatic crisis in Polish-Ukrainian relations,” Tusk stressed.
He said the Polish government intends to firmly counter disinformation and hostile propaganda aimed at damaging relations between Warsaw and Kyiv.
The head of the Polish government also positively assessed the recent meeting between the presidents of Poland and Ukraine, which took place on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.
“The public signals from both presidents show that they understand that 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 both in Poland and Ukraine, and “this must be fought absolutely uncompromisingly.”
“Of course, I expect the Ukrainian authorities to counter anti-Polish incidents if they occur in Ukraine. At present, we are not dealing with any physical attacks (in Ukraine). Unfortunately, such cases do occur in Poland, and here we will also act without compromise,” Tusk said.
He stressed that anyone who attacks or persecutes people because of their nationality, race, or views commits a crime, and that the Polish authorities “will respond with the full force of the law.”
“In the end, this is happening these days,” the prime minister noted.
Ahead of the anniversary of the Volhynia tragedy, commemorated in Poland on July 11, the Polish prime minister called for a responsible approach to historical issues, emphasizing that truth is a necessary foundation for Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation and the basis on which the European community was built.
