Polish President Andrzej Duda has reiterated his appeal to European decision-makers to remain united in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and help Kyiv defend its sovereignty.
Speaking at the London Defense Conference on Tuesday, Duda warned European leaders that „the aim of the Kremlin is to regain control over the so-called post-Soviet zone and destroy the current world order.”
Russia’s war in Ukraine „has a much broader dimension,” he emphasized, leading to „global consequences” and affecting „Asia, Africa, and the Middle East alike.”
During his speech, Duda also outlined Poland’s priorities for the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, this summer. These include „boosting the defense potential of the eastern flank by increasing the number of NATO troops deployed there,” scaling up the alliance’s High Readiness Forces from 40,000 to 300,000 troops, and establishing a „Multi–Corps Land Component Command” in Poland.
Duda concluded by urging all European allies and NATO members to „individually maintain and develop their capacity to resist an armed attack…we must remember that NATO forces are not just US troops.”
Today is day 455 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio
Farmers from Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries staged a protest in Brussels on Tuesday against imports of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine.
Demonstrators from Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovakia gathered in the center of the Belgian capital to present their demands to the European Union’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski.
Protesters claim Ukrainian grain imports are affecting their livelihoods and demanded that the EU take long-term, decisive measures on the issue, which is causing tensions in the region, euronews.com reported.
Łukasz Pergoł, a farmer from northern Poland, told public broadcaster Polish Radio that protesters were demanding more and faster support from Brussels and an EU ban on imports of Ukrainian produce such as poultry and eggs.
Source: Polskie Radio
A serious accident involving a moose occurred at the Lipce junction of the Southern Bypass on Sunday, highlighting the increasing danger of the animal for drivers in Pomerania.
The forests in Pomerania are witnessing a surge in moose numbers, with approximately 900 of the animals estimated to inhabit the region, a figure seven times higher than a decade ago. As Roman Wasilewski of the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Gdańsk explains, moose „pose a huge threat on the roads” as „accidents involving moose often end tragically.”
Unlike other animals, moose aren’t scared by moving vehicles, are good swimmers and runners, and can easily jump a two-meter fence. According to road engineers’ data, the number of accidents involving moose on Pomeranian roads has risen from one reported incident in 2020 to five in 2021 and six in 2022.
Slipways and junctions are reportedly the places most at risk of a moose incursion, with officials planning to enact measures such as reflectors, sound deterrents, and fences to discourage the animals from entering the highway.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Over 500,000 eighth-grade students in 12,600 schools across Poland began their end-of-school exams yesterday with a written Polish language and literature test.
According to reports from the Polish Press Agency, that number includes over 14,000 Ukrainian students who are eligible for „special adjustments” on the exam, including an extended time limit on the Polish language test and translation of questions on the math and foreign-language tests.
„This is the most difficult moment of the school year,” explains Monika Sengerska, the director of Primary School No. 4 in Starogard Gdański. „…this exam opens the door for our eighth graders to further educational and professional paths.”
Some 34,000 eighth-graders in Pomerania were asked to discuss the five-act tragedy „Balladyna” by Juliusz Słowacki and write an essay on the influence of the environment on their lives as part of yesterday’s Polish exam.
Students will continue with the nationwide mathematics exam today, with the foreign language exam set for tomorrow. Results will be published nationwide on July 3.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy and warm, with very little chance of rain and a very light northern breeze. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than yesterday, with a daytime high of 20°C or 68°F, dropping to a low of 11°C or 52°F overnight. Similar weather is expected tomorrow, with more sun but slightly lower temps heading into the weekend.
Listen:
Elizabeth Peck/MarWer
