Ukraine called on neighbouring Poland on Monday to act against "xenophobia" after Polish farmers spilt EU-destined Ukrainian grain on the ground during protests on the border between the allies.
Polish police have said they are investigating an incident during which farmers had stopped a truck carrying Ukrainian grain on Sunday as it crossed the border and poured out its cargo.
Social media images showed the produce in the middle of the road as farmers staged blockades across Poland to protest competition from Ukraine and heavy EU regulations.
The incident came several weeks after Polish truckers stopped a two-month blockade of the border.
"We have another escalation of violence on our common border," said Taras Kachka, Ukraine's deputy economy minister.
"The lack of reaction from the Polish authorities to the destroyed cargo will lead to more xenophobia and political violence," he added.
In a separate statement, Ukraine's agriculture ministry said it "strongly condemns the deliberate destruction of Ukrainian grain".
Poland took in more than a million Ukrainian refugees after Russia invaded its neighbour in 2022, but strains in relations with Kyiv have grown in recent months, amid economic disputes and some anti-Ukrainian sentiment among Poland's right-wing electorate.
Polish police on Monday confirmed it had conducted an inspection at the site and interviewed witnesses.
The evidence it gathered "will be sent today to the District Prosecutor's Office in Chelm for a criminal law assessment regarding further proceedings in this case", a spokeswoman for the local police, Ewa Czyz, told AFP.
Russia Says Downed 17 Ukrainian Drones
The mayor of Ukraine's Lviv, a city close to the Polish border, slammed the destruction of Ukrainian grain in wartime.
"Ukrainians are literally watering the fields with blood which this grain is grown on," Andriy Sadovy said on social media.
"Harvesting wheat in a field that has seen war is like working as a sapper," he added, calling those who poured the grain "pro-Russian provocateurs".
The leader of the halted Polish haulier protest, Rafal Mekler, on Monday defended the pouring of the grain and said he was at the border.
Mekler, a far-right local politician, said Ukraine represented Nazi collaborator Stepan "Bandera and abortion" -- a historical reference used by Russia to justify its Ukraine invasion.
Polish hauliers -- who want the re-introduction of restrictions to enter the EU for their Ukrainian competitors -- have vowed to resume a large-scale border blockade if their demands are not met.
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter
Comments ( 1)
I have so much to say about this its hard to know where to start.
In Britain I have worked with many Polish people, migrant workers, they have taught me some of their language, I consider some of them friends. They all work hard. I have covered for them at work and saved their job when they broke rules, I kept things quiet in several situations to help them.
They are however some of the most racist people I have ever met, in Poland it must not be a problem but in England we cannot say such things.
Poland, sort your issues out and understand the suffering of Ukraine. Give them the hand of friendship we have extended to you. You work in Britain and earn great money then send much of it back home, it is a lucrative option.
Britain supports Ukraine.
Poland supports Ukraine too - or it can go home and be racist somewhere else.
@David Steel,
Dear David
As a Pole who use to work in England for many years, knew many English people and considered some of them friends, I must say that I was always fascinating to hear English opinion about 'Poland is racist and England is so super anti-racist heaven'.
Then I was going to my job, pub... where I heard comments about 'bloody foreigners/Poles'... and then we had Brexit with signs on Polish houses about Polish rats etc.
So, mayby there are some Polish people in the UK who indeed are talking stupied things, but I would reconsider your opinion about England vs Poland, if I were you.
Especially if we are talking about acting or Ukraine subject.