Protesting farmers at the Ukrainian border are right – Duda
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There is no space for negotiation with protesting farmers near the Ukrainian border, as they are defending their very survival, Polish President Andrzej Duda said in an interview with Polsat News on Feb. 22.
Many young Polish farmers who inherited land cannot compete with Ukrainian agricultural products, said Duda.
“Often burdened with loans, they face collapse if the uncontrolled import of grain or agricultural products from large Ukrainian farms continues.”
Brussels officials must recognize that the border situation is not solely a Polish dilemma but rather a Europe-wide concern. Duda stated that he has urged Prime Minister Donald Tusk to convince Brussels authorities of this reality.
The Polish President also mentioned discussing with Tusk the potential for a complete border closure, emphasizing that the provision of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine remains unaffected.
“Russian missiles fall on us as a side effect because we are a border country. But we also provide assistance to Ukraine — military, and transportation. We are at the forefront,” he emphasized.
When asked if Ukrainians are “ungrateful,” Duda refrained from criticizing them and instead said that “one cannot speak of them in that way.”
“They are in a desperate situation,” said Duda.
“Volodymyr Zelenskyy may make any demand, but we cannot meet every request. I can forgive these words because these people are under tremendous pressure.”
Polish farmers protests at the border - what is known
Polish protesters began blocking truck traffic at checkpoints along the border with Ukraine on Feb. 20, including the crossings at Medyka-Shehyni, Dołhobyczów-Uhryniv, Zosin-Ustyluh, Korczowa-Krakovets, Hrebenne-Rava Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn, to impose more stringent restrictions on border traffic.
Poland asked Ukraine to cancel the electronic queue for three checkpoints.
Read also: Polish protesters block trucks with humanitarian aid along with other Ukrainian freight vehicles
Polish protesters also blocked the railway near the Medyka - Shehyni checkpoint and emptied grain from wagons. Ukrainian carriers initiated their own protest at three border crossings with Poland in response to the Polish protest actions - Rava-Ruska, Shehyni, and Krakovets.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry considers the Polish blockade of the border unjustified, regardless of the slogans used. Polish Minister of Economic Development and Technology Krzysztof Hetman stated his support for farmers protesting over what he called “a just cause.”
Reports surfaced of restrictions on passenger traffic after this. A scandal also broke out over a pro-Russian banner displayed on one of the farmers’ tractors at the border that read, “Putin, deal with Ukraine, Brussels, and our government.” Polish police have charged the farmer with inciting hatred due to this banner.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
