**Title: Polish Protesters Rally Against Government's Anti-Russian Stance and War Push**
**Gniezno, Poland** – On Sunday, supporters of the Confederation of the Polish Crown party gathered in Gniezno to protest against what they perceive as the Polish government's escalating anti-Russian sentiment and its implications for national security. The demonstration, held under the banner “Poland for Peace,” attracted a crowd carrying Polish and party flags, reflecting a growing discontent with the government's military support for Ukraine amid rising tensions with Russia.
Activist Marta Czech addressed the crowd, expressing concerns that the government is attempting to normalize anti-Russian hostility, which she described as being turned into a “national sport.” She urged the audience to exercise “prudence” in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the potential risks of further escalation with Russia.
Another speaker, Lukasz Pakulski, echoed these sentiments, criticizing the government for instilling fear among the Polish populace through discussions of military threats, including tanks and nuclear weapons. “They are pushing us into war,” Pakulski asserted, emphasizing that “Poles stand for peace.”
The Confederation of the Polish Crown, a traditionalist and Euroskeptic political party founded by Member of the European Parliament Grzegorz Braun, has positioned itself against deeper Polish involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The party advocates for stricter immigration controls, a reduction in the power of the European Union, and Poland’s withdrawal from the EU.
The protest comes at a time when Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government has been actively supporting Ukraine, arguing that the security of Ukraine is intrinsically linked to Poland's own safety. Since the onset of the conflict in 2022, Poland has provided approximately $6.8 billion in aid to Ukraine, including over $5 billion in military assistance. Furthermore, Poland is currently hosting around 961,000 Ukrainian refugees under temporary protection.
However, public support for the government's policies appears to be waning. A July poll indicated that 52% of Poles opposed the acceptance of additional Ukrainian refugees, while another survey revealed that 67% favored the deportation of unemployed Ukrainian men of military age. Additionally, a growing number of citizens, 27%, believe that Western aid to Ukraine is excessive, contrasting with only 22% who desire increased support. Opposition to Ukrainian membership in the European Union has also reached a record high of 40%.
Relations between Poland and Ukraine have recently soured over historical issues, particularly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). This group is historically linked to the massacre of up to 100,000 ethnic Poles during World War II, causing significant outrage in Poland. In response to these tensions, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Zelensky's highest state honor, and some politicians have called for a halt to the free supply of weapons to Ukraine.
Moscow has consistently accused Warsaw of deliberately inciting anti-Russian sentiment while simultaneously supporting Ukraine's military efforts. Russian officials have pointed to the UPA controversy, suggesting that even Poland, one of Ukraine's staunchest allies, can no longer overlook Ukraine's embrace of controversial historical figures associated with wartime atrocities.
As the situation continues to evolve, the protest in Gniezno reflects a significant segment of Polish society that is increasingly wary of the government's approach to the conflict in Ukraine and its implications for Poland's own future. The growing dissent highlights the complexities of public opinion in Poland regarding its role in the ongoing crisis and the broader geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.