Today marks the two-month anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a tragedy marked by millions of Ukrainians as they gather today for Orthodox Easter celebrations.

May this holiday bring some semblance of peace and comfort to Ukrainians at home and abroad, and a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Happy Easter / Wesołych Świąt / Щастливої Пасхи.

The prime ministers of Poland and Ukraine met in Krakow yesterday to discuss the ongoing war efforts and the shared economic future of their two countries.

In comments after the meeting, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called for additional “crushing” sanctions on Russia “broad enough to stop Putin’s war economy.” He went on to express his conviction that present sanctions are insufficient, as evidenced by “what is happening with the Russian currency, with Russian bonds, and with Russian inflation….”

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal echoed Morawiecki’s calls for additional “sanctions, weapons, and financing,” stating, “the war will end sooner or later with a victory for Ukraine…we have no other choice. Either we win, or the Ukrainian nation will be destroyed, and then it will be a threat to Europe’s democracy.”

Shmyhal also called on European partners to support Ukraine in its bid to join the European Union, which he claimed is supported by “96% of Ukrainians” and solidifies “our chance for security in the future.”

During the meeting, the two leaders signed a memorandum of cooperation regarding the export of Ukrainian goods such as grain, corn, and other agricultural commodities, and a letter of intent on bilateral cooperation for rail transport.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP

The Polish government recently launched the “Stop Russia Now!” media campaign to spur the rest of Europe into action amidst mounting evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

In a press conference on Saturday, Prime Minister Morawiecki expressed concerns that support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia could be short-lived as western and southern European nations increasingly push for a return to the “rut of normality” in relations with Putin’s Russia.

In addition to advertising on billboards and social media, Morawiecki announced plans to visit Germany and other European partners “to remind [them] about the war atrocities in Ukraine” as part of the campaign.

Morawiecki was accompanied yesterday by Kateryna Suchomłynowa, a Ukrainian medical rescuer from Mariupol, who called on European leaders to “adopt sanctions packages faster” and “stop buying energy from Russa” as buying Russian oil and gas finances “murders and crimes.”

“Germany, France, Austria, and Italy have to do their best to put an end to the war. Let’s stop the invasion immediately because every day, every hour, every minute brutal Russian soldiers are killing Ukrainians at the behest of the Kremlin,” Morawiecki added.

“The way we respond to the events in Ukraine,” Morawiecki explained, “attests to our humanity.”

Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland

Two popular bands inspired by Ukrainian folk music will visit Poland’s biggest cities in the next two weeks as part of their “Free Ukraine” charity tour.

Organized by concert promoters Randan Music, the concerts will feature an eclectic mix of jazz, folk, and electronica from Polish-Ukrainian collective “Dagadana,” along with the folk-jazz group “Troye Zillia” from Ukraine.

The “Free Ukraine” concert series kicks off tonight in Kraków and will then make stops in Katowice, Wrocław, Warsaw, and Poznań before making a final stop at club B90 in Gdańsk on May 1.

During the tour, audiences will be encouraged to donate to the Polish Medical Mission (PMM), a Kraków-based charity providing medical support in Ukraine. Proceeds from the tickets, priced between PLN 75 (EUR 16) and PLN 200 (EUR 43), will also benefit the cause.

Source: Radio Poland

Gdańsk residents have submitted over 500 proposals for this year’s edition of the Gdańsk Civic Budget or “Budżet Obywatelski,” including over 130 “green” projects.

Submission of project proposals for the tenth edition of the Civic Budget is now over, and the official verification process will be finalized in the coming months. According to city officials, 509 projects were submitted via the online application system, including 376 for the traditional Civic Budget and 133 for the Green Civic Budget.

Descriptions of the submitted projects can be viewed online at https://gdansk.ardvote.pl/, and residents are invited to comment on their favorite projects.

Applicants are also reminded that they must submit a paper version of their application to city hall by the end of the month, or the project will be removed from consideration.

Gdańsk residents have over PLN 22 million to spend as part of the Civic Budget for 2023, and voting on projects is scheduled to begin on September 26th. Official results will be announced on October 14th.

Weather

Today will be a mix of sun and clouds with a good chance of rain in the morning and winds coming in from the north. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a high around 10°C, or 50°F, dropping to an overnight low of 6°C or 42°F. Tomorrow is expected to be colder and more overcast, with a chance for rain in the morning and again in the late evening.

Elizabeth Peck/ua