Tusk urges Polish gov't to "unblock relations with the EU" amid war in Ukraine

The chief of the opposition Civic Platform (PO) party Donald Tusk spoke at a press conference on Monday about the Polish government's actions taken in the context of Russian invasion into Ukraine. "Today, all those in power, all publically active people, should focus on two mottos: all hands on deck, and all available funds and money for Poland as soon as possible," he said.

In his opinion, "a rather uncertain situation of Polish zloty is also directly connected with the fact that we still haven't had the European funds unblocked". "What today seems an urgent need, an already dramatically urgent need, is PiS, or the (Mateusz) Morawiecki cabinet unblocking relations with the European Union in terms of the European funds," Tusk argued.

"I strongly call, especially upon prime minister Morawiecki, chairman (Jarosław) Kaczyński, and president (Andrzej) Duda, to unblock as soon as possible those funds that are at our disposal, that are within our reach," he stressed.

"The second motto, which is also a present need, is: all hands on deck," Civic Platform leader said. "I appeal to those in charge - regardless of the diplomatic action and promoting solidarity with Ukraine, which I respect - to urge the government administration to get down to very conscientious work," he added.

PO chairman also said that the previous night some 20,000 Ukrainians arrived at Warsaw's railway stations. Therefore, he again called upon the government to support the people and local governments in providing help to refugees. "Here's my earnest appeal to the administration to not waste any more time. You knew there was a risk of invasion in November. Today we need both the money, as well as very active effort to support the people," he said.

Donald Tusk also informed he would speak with the chief of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday in Brussels, and with other world leaders on Thursday in Paris. "The crucial thing is to make Europe understand how huge a burden Poland has taken upon itself. Just how wonderfully people, NGOs, and local governments have reacted. And that there no funds should be limited in any way," he added.

"There is a war, there is the drama of the refugees, and a dramatic financial situation. Each day, and every hour, we look with fear at what is happening on the Polish market, with out zloty and our prices," he said. In his view, "PiS and those in charge hold all the cards". "Only they can end this unnecessary dispute, and I'll do all I can to ensure that even the smallest gesture on Polish government's part is seen in a positive way in Europe," Donald Tusk promised.