Polish authorities have raised serious alarms following the emergence of slogans praising Russian President Vladimir Putin and his actions in Ukraine at farmers' protests in the country. The Foreign Ministry has expressed fears that extremist groups may be attempting to infiltrate the farmers' protest movement, potentially under the influence of Russian agents.
During a recent protest in the Silesia region, a tractor displayed a Soviet flag alongside a banner urging Putin to 'put things in order with Ukraine, Brussels, and our rulers.' Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski condemned the banner as 'scandalous' and confirmed that it was promptly seized by police, with prosecutors launching an investigation into the matter.
Under Polish law, the public endorsement of a totalitarian regime can lead to imprisonment for up to three years. Poland, a NATO and EU member situated along Ukraine's western border, has been a steadfast supporter of Kyiv since Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022, offering refuge to Ukrainian civilians and military aid.
Despite historical tensions with Moscow, Poles have overwhelmingly backed Ukraine in the conflict. However, friction has arisen as Polish farmers attribute declining prices to Ukrainian agricultural imports and EU environmental regulations, which they argue will escalate production costs.
Polish farmers have joined their European counterparts in protesting against Ukrainian competition and EU policies, blockading the Ukrainian border and even spilling Ukrainian grain from freight trains. Such actions have drawn sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials.
The Foreign Ministry in Warsaw has expressed deep concern over the appearance of anti-Ukrainian and pro-Putin slogans during recent blockades, urging protest organizers to root out the instigators from their movement in the national interest. The ministry emphasized that the challenges faced by Polish farmers stem from Putin's aggression against Ukraine and the resulting global economic disruptions, rather than Ukraine's defensive actions.
