Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has again condemned what he described as Russia’s „illegal annexation” of the Crimean Peninsula. Speaking at an international forum in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, President Duda joined other European and global leaders in condemning Russia’s control of the peninsula, which it forcefully annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
The Polish president – one of ten heads of state to attend the event – called on the international community to act „constantly and consistently” to counter Russia’s hold on the territory. Other leaders added their voices, with European Council President Charles Michel saying the EU would „staunchly enforce [its] non-recognition policy” and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declaring „Crimea is Ukraine”.
In response, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has described the Crimea Platform summit as a „political performance”, according to Russian state news agency Tass. He added that it would negatively impact EU-Russia relations.
The Crimea Platform summit is due to wrap up today, coinciding with Ukrainian independence day. This year marks 30 years since the country’s independence from the Soviet Union.
The Kyiv summit also saw German Chancellor Angela Merkel discuss the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Speaking in a joint press conference with the Ukrainian president, Chancellor Merkel said sanctions would be imposed on Russia if it attempted to use the pipeline as a „geopolitical weapon”.
The soon-to-be-finished Nord Stream 2 pipeline will connect Russian natural gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine. The country, along with Poland and the US, has fiercely criticised the pipeline, saying it increases European dependence on Russia.
The government has announced plans to bump up security on Poland’s border with Belarus as more migrants continue to cross from the country.
Revealed by Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak at a press conference on Monday, the plans include a doubling of troops on the border as well as a new fence along the most vulnerable sections.
According to the minister, a 2.5 metre-high barbed wire barrier would be put up along some stretches of the border, with up to two thousand Polish military personnel assisting border guards to patrol the 400 km Belarusian frontier.
The plans are an attempt to control a surging number of migrants crossing the border from Belarus. Earlier this month, Lithuania, which also borders the country, announced similar plans. Poland and Lithuania – both EU members – have accused Belarus of encouraging vulnerable displaced people, mainly from war-affected countries including Iraq and Afghanistan, to cross the border illegally.
Yesterday the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia issued a joint statement condemning what they called „hybrid attacks” by Belarus.
The mayors of Poland’s largest cities have said they are ready to welcome Afghan refugees.
The Union of Polish Metropolises, made up of the twelve largest cities in Poland, on Monday issued a joint statement pledging to work with the government to help those fleeing the Central Asian country.
It comes after Gdynia last week joined Gdansk and Sopot in expressing its openness to assisting refugees. Making the announcement last Friday, the city’s Mayor Wojciech Szczurek said „there are some moments in history when one has to do the decent thing”.
Two Gdansk bus drivers have been recognised by the city for some heroic first aid.
Arkadiusz Guenther and Patryk Rozpędowski, both drivers for Gdansk Buses and Trams, were recognised for their bravery earlier this month when they rushed to the aid of a man injured in a fight on Hucisko street in the city centre. While others stood by and some even took photos, the two drivers called 112, the emergency number, and administered first aid to the man, who was severely bleeding from the head. According to Guenther, out of a crowd of dozens, only one person stepped forward to help.
Meeting with the two heroic drivers on Monday, Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz thanked them for their actions and presented them with small gifts from the city.
Weather
Partly cloudy and dry going into this afternoon with a chance for some more sunny spells later on. A mild 17C, 62F, on the thermometer today with a chilly Baltic sea breeze. A bright start tomorrow but clouding over later on.
Thomas Holdstock/ua
