Staged referenda on joining Russia began Friday in Ukraine in the Russian-occupied oblasts of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk.
The international community has already denounced the so-called referenda as having a “predetermined” outcome and serving merely as a pretext for annexation. By annexing the four areas, the Kremlin could frame Ukrainian counteroffensives in the region as an attack on Russia proper and even use that to justify a nuclear response.
US President Joe Biden labeled the effort a “sham,” assuring Ukraine that the US will never recognize the potential annexation and pledging to “impose additional swift and severe economic costs on Russia.”
According to reports from Ukrainian officials, “due to the low voter turnout, election officials, accompanied by armed Russian soldiers, [have been carrying] ballots straight to people’s houses.”
The Kremlin-orchestrated referenda are scheduled to run until Tuesday, 27 September.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP, Reuters
New research shows that a majority of refugees from the war in Ukraine have higher education and a desire to integrate into the Polish labor market.
According to research announced at a Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) conference last week, more than half of Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Poland are now employed, and an additional one-fourth are actively seeking jobs.
“The refugees are very well-educated,” noted Dr. Agata Górny from the University of Warsaw, discussing the research findings. “More than two-thirds have higher education.”
A recent study by the Gremi Personal Analytical Center showed that every second Ukrainian citizen (52.8 percent) forced to leave Ukraine because of the war is learning the Polish language, and every third (35 percent) plans to study Polish in the near future, signifying a desire to remain in the Polish labor market.
According to Dr, Górny, refugees’ high level of education “means they have potential – the question remains whether we in Poland will be able to integrate them into our labor market.”
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland
The Sopot Center for Integration and Support for Foreigners has launched a new project to provide comprehensive assistance to refugees and other foreigners residing in the city.
The project, entitled “Multicultural Sopot – Strengthening the Sopot Foreigners Support System,” will provide immigrants with psychological, legal, and translation support, as well as career counseling and language courses.
“A roof over your head is not enough,” explains Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, vice-president of Sopot, “Psychological, integrative, cultural, and inclusive support in the life of the city is equally important.”
The project is financed by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy as part of efforts to expand professional training and social integration opportunities for foreigners legally residing in Poland.
More information on the program is available by contacting the Sopot Center for Integration and Support for Foreigners (SCIiWC) directly via phone at 504 943 910, e-mail address sektywc@ab.org.pl, or via the SCIiWC page on Facebook.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, sopot.pl
The Polish national football team faces off against Wales tonight in Cardiff in an attempt to avoid relegation to Nations League B.
After a disappointing loss to the Netherlands last Thursday, the Polish national team is currently in third place in Nations League A Group 4, with four points total as they head into the sixth-round match today.
The Netherlands sits atop the group with 13 points, followed by Belgium with 10. Wales is currently in fourth place with only 1 point.
The Poland vs. Wales match is set for today at 20:45 Warsaw time.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland
Weather
Today will be mostly cloudy and cool, with very little chance of rain and a light breeze coming in from the south. Temperatures will stay on the cool side, with a high of 16°C, or 61°F, dropping to a low of 8°C or 46°F overnight. Cool, cloudy weather is expected tomorrow, with an increasing chance for rain as the week progresses.
Elizabeth Peck/pb
