Poland

Poland’s government was quicker than Germany to recognise the danger posed by Russian ruler Vladimir Putin and his superpower ambitions. And the Polish government acted quickly.

In this episode, Leszek Jażdżewski and Paul Gradvohl talk about the presidential election in France and the possible outcomes in the current geopolitical situation – with a special focus on the war in Ukraine.

Polish administration announced plans to end the import of Russian coal within two months and of Russian oil by the end of this year. The government approved legislation to introduce a ban which may contravene EU trade rules.

Ordo Iuris, an ultra-conservative Catholic foundation known for influential lobbying to ban abortion and limit LGBT+ rights, has recently been through a major crisis started with a romantic affair within the organization, also described as ‘sex scandal’.

Mobilization of Polish society to help refugees is beyond all expectations. Facebook groups where ordinary citizens offer their help have mushroomed in recent days, gathering hundreds of thousands of users.

Leszek Jażdżewski talks to Olha Konsevych, a Ukrainian journalist and researcher, the Editor-in-Chief of the Ukrainian newspaltform 24tv.ua, about the war in Ukraine.

The unprovoked invasion of Russia is an unprecedented act of war. Vladimir Putin is denying Ukrainians the right to exist. He denies the foundations on which the coexistence of nations established after the Second World War is based.

Russia attacked Ukraine. The first missiles and rounds fell in the south, including the capital – Kiev. The Russian army crossed the borders of Ukraine in a number of points, including across the border with Belarus.

Without a declaration of war. Without any real casus belli. No excuse. Based on a vile provocation. With a mouth full of phrases, lies, insults, and hypocrisy. At dawn. Just like in 1939.

Russia is dangerous and disregarding this fact may end badly for us. Secondly, Germany\'s weakness (its fear of taking the lead) is more dangerous to us than its strength. And finally, the most important thing: we can do very little on our own.