The presidents of Poland and Ukraine are set to sign a joint declaration today outlining goals for future bilateral relations, including issues of security, the economy, rights of national minorities, and historical issues.

The document is set to be finalized after talks today between Polish president Andrzej Duda, currently on a three-day visit to Ukraine, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Duda’s chief of staff, Krzysztof Szczerski, also informed reporters that Polish state-run oil and gas giant PGNiG also plans to sign a deal today giving the Polish company the right to take part in the privatization of the energy sector in Ukraine.

Duda started his trip to Ukraine on Sunday with a ceremony in a Polish military cemetery at Bykivnia in the capital Kiev to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre of Polish officers and intellectuals by the Soviets during World War II.

Source: Radio Poland

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Prime Minister Morawiecki assured the public that „For now, we don’t see a need to reintroduce mandatory distance learning” despite the rising number of coronavirus cases nationwide. Poland reopened most of its schools to students last month when the summer break ended and a new school year began.

In an effort to combat the most recent surge in cases, strict new rules came into effect in the country on Saturday under which people must cover their mouths and noses when outdoors in public places as well as in most indoor environments nationwide.

During Saturday’s press conference, Morawiecki also announced new measures designed to protect senior citizens, which are set to take effect on October 15. These include special shopping hours for seniors every day from 10:00 to 12:00 and additional government funding for nursing homes to the tune of PLN 38 million (EUR 8.5 million).

Source: Radio Poland

A proposed „March for Freedom, End the Plandemic” demonstration in Gdańsk failed to take place over the weekend after police forcibly dispersed participants for non-compliance with current health and safety requirements.

Several hundred demonstrators gathered in front of the Neptune Fountain Saturday afternoon to oppose current coronavirus restrictions, which they claim exist only to spread fear and panic and stifle dissent.

Leaflets and banners at the event featured slogans such as „Stop plandemii” (eng. Stop PLANdemia) and „Wyłącz telewizor, włącz myślenie” (eng. Turn off the TV, turn on your mind). The assembly was quickly shut down by the police for non-compliance with current sanitary requirements, as participants did not have masks and were ignoring social distancing requirements.

A small number of demonstrators refused to disperse, forcing police to eventually use pepper spray, and at least four individuals were taken to the Municipal Police Headquarters in Gdańsk to confirm their identities.

Police officers are currently analyzing recording and surveillance footage of the march and have promised to prosecute demonstrators observed breaking the law.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, Trojmiasto.pl

12th-ranked Italy walked away unhappy from last night’s Nations League match in Gdańsk after failing to score against the 19th-ranked Polish national team.

Captain Robert Lewandowski led the Polish team to a hard-fought 0-0 draw in front of a limited capacity crowd of around 7,000 at Energa Gdańsk Stadium Sunday night. Both teams were optimistic after spectacular triumphs in the recent friendly matches – the Poles defeated the Finns 5-1 in Gdańsk last week, and the Italians beat Moldova 6-0 in Florence.

After three rounds, Poland are third in their Nations League Group A1, with four points, one less than Italy and tied with the Netherlands. The Polish team will next face off again against Bosnia-and-Herzegovina in Wrocław on Wednesday night, while the Italians will face off against the Dutch in Milan.

Source: Radio Poland, Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be mostly cloudy and cool, with a light breeze coming in from the southwest and a slight chance of rain overnight.Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a high of 13°C, or 55°F, and an overnight low of 5°C or 41°F. The clouds will stick around into tomorrow, with rain in the forecast throughout the week.

EP/am