Ukraine refutes Polish president's claims on post-war security threats
The spokesperson of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heorhiy Tykhy, said, "We do not agree with the presentation of Ukrainian soldiers, who are today risking their lives, defending Europe from Russian invasion, as an alleged potential threat to European security." This was in response to remarks by the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to President Andrzej Duda's comments, who suggested that a possible conclusion to Russia's war against Ukraine might pose a risk of increased cross-border crime.
In an interview with the Financial Times, President Andrzej Duda stated that ensuring economic and security support for Kyiv will be essential for the West.
Just imagine the situation when we have got thousands of people coming from the frontline coming back home. Those people who are fighting with Russia, a lot of them will demonstrate mental problems, Duda told the British daily.
The President added that some soldiers would suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and return to "their villages, their towns where they will find ruined houses, ruined plants, ruined factories, no jobs and no perspectives".
He compared the potential threat to the situation in Russia in the early 1990s when many veterans of the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan joined criminal groups. - Remember the period when the Soviet Union collapsed and how much-organised crime increased in Western Europe and the USA, warned Duda.
Kyiv: We disagree
On Monday evening, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on President Duda's statements.
- Ukrainian soldiers and veterans are not a threat, but a security factor for Ukraine, Poland and all of Europe. They are the key to a free and stable European future. We are convinced that the brave Ukrainian men and women who stood up to defend their country and the whole world from Russian invaders deserve the highest respect - declared the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhy, on Monday.
- We do not agree with the presentation of Ukrainian soldiers, who are today risking their lives, defending Europe from Russian invasion, as an alleged potential threat to European security, he added.
The spokesperson reminded us that since 2014, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have served on the front lines, yet "no significant increase in crime or threats to Poland or Europe was observed".
Tykhy added that the Ukrainian state also prioritises the adaptation, socialisation, and integration of soldiers and "counts on further assistance from partners in this important matter."
At the beginning of the statement, the spokesperson expressed gratitude to Poland for "large-scale assistance provided to Ukraine" and to the Polish President for "consistent promotion of Ukraine's interests and calls on partners to increase support for our country".
