Tusk refuses Zelenskyy's border meeting invitation, plans Ukraine-Poland gov’t talks for March 28

A meeting of the governments of Ukraine and Poland will take place on March 28 in Warsaw, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said during a press conference on Feb. 22, thus rejecting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call to come to the border amid protests by Polish farmers, local outlet RMF24 reported.

Tusk believes that a meeting at the border would be purely symbolic. He has held a number of meetings with leaders of European countries and European institutions, and is in constant contact with Washington.

Warsaw is "obliged to protect the interests" of Polish farmers and agricultural producers and called for separating this issue from "unquestioning support for Ukraine" in the war unleashed by Russia, said the premier.

"We will look for protective solutions for Polish farmers, both by national methods, using national resources, and through further negotiations with Ukraine and European institutions, so that the negative effects of trade liberalization with Ukraine are less serious and can be compensated for as far as possible. Polish farmers can count on me here," Tusk said.

Read also: Poland-Ukraine meeting at border ‘not the safest place’, President’s aid suggests Warsaw or Lublin

Protesters began restricting traffic on the Ukraine border on Feb. 20. Truck traffic was blocked at the Medyka-Shehyni, Dolhobyczów-Uhryniv, Zosin-Ustyluh, Korczowa-Krakivets, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn checkpoints.

Poland has asked Ukraine to cancel the electronic queue for three checkpoints.

Polish protesters also blocked the railroad near the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint and poured grain out of railroad cars on Feb. 20.

In response to the actions of the Poles, Ukrainian carriers have been protesting at three border crossing points on the border with Poland – Rava-Ruska, Shehyni, and Krakivets – since Feb. 20.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine believes that the blocking of the border by the Poles has no justification, no matter under what slogans. Polish Minister of Development and Technology Krzysztof Hetman said he supports the farmers who are "protesting for a worthy cause."

Read also: Kyiv officials renew strong rebuke of Polish border obstructions, appeal to Polish government to act

There were reports of restrictions on passenger transportation. A scandal also erupted over a pro-Russian banner on a farm tractor at the border. It read "Putin, sort Ukraine, Brussels, and our government out". The Polish police charged the farmer with incitement to hatred.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine