Hundreds of Jewish pilgrims heading into Ukraine from Belarus are reportedly stranded at the border, unable to cross due to Ukraine’s strict coronavirus travel restrictions.

The pilgrims had been on their way to the town of Uman in central Ukraine, in order to visit the tomb of Rabbi Nahman, the founder of the Hasidic branch of Judaism. They were hoping to arrive in time for the Jewish new year festival, which starts tomorrow, but were stopped at the Belarusian frontier as Ukraine has closed its borders to foreigners.

The Belarusian government, lead by embattled president Aleksandryr Lukashenka, has called on Ukraine to allow the pilgrims through. Mr Lukashenko even suggested opening a „green route” from the border to the town of Uman.

The office of the Ukrainian president this week said it would not open borders and advised pilgrims against making the journey, a call joined by the Israeli government.

The pilgrims’ situation, however, is reportedly very serious, with a shortage of food, money, and other essentials. Ukraine says its border services are providing kosher food and water, but authorities on the Belarusian side say there isn’t enough.

The leaders of the Polish and Lithuanian governments are meeting in Vilnius today for bilateral talks.

The talks, known as intergovernmental consultations, are expected to cover a range of regional and European issues, including coronavirus, the EU budget and the ongoing anti-government protests in neighbouring Belarus.

More than 20 government ministers from the two countries are to take part in the talks, including Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his Lithuanian counterpart Saulius Skvernelis.

In recent years, Poland and Lithuania have become increasingly close partners in EU politics as well as regional issues in Central and Eastern Europe, most recently with the crisis in Belarus following the country’s presidential election.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda is to speak at a United Nations virtual conference next week.

The UN, which is marking its 75 anniversary this year, will hold its annual General Assembly next week, with many world leaders expected to make appearances.

For the first time since its establishment after World War Two, this year’s meeting will not take place in New York. Due to the global health crisis, next week’s meeting of global leaders will take place virtually, with speakers broadcasting from their own countries.

The UN General Assembly is set to begin on Tuesday, with President Duda expected to make his speech on Wednesday afternoon.

The president is also set to visit Rome next week for a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. It’ll be the Polish leader’s first foreign visit since his reelection two months ago.

In Gdansk, some of the city’s most exceptional couples have been celebrating their 50th anniversaries with a medal ceremony at the Artus Court.

Traditionally, Polish couples marking 50 years together are honoured with a presidential Medal for Long Marriage.

Gdansk Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz on Wednesday hosted 15 couples at the Artus Court to award the medals along with certificates and flowers.

The ceremony had to be smaller than usual in order to observe social distancing and the event was moved from its usual home in the Main-Town Hall to the more spacious Artus Court.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Dulkiewicz thanked the couples for setting a good example and praised their hard work and commitment through the years.

The event closed with a concert of classical music.

Partly cloudy with sunny spells across the city this afternoon, with a strong breeze keeping things feeling cool and fresh.

Temperatures hovering at around 14°C today, that’s 58°F.

Dropping down into single figures overnight, but tomorrow looking warmer with plenty of sunshine.

Thomas Holdstock