Kraków abuse of Ukrainians: consulate demands action but warns against anti-Polish generalisations

Ukraine's Consulate General has expressed concern over an incident in Kraków in which a man supposedly threatened and verbally abused two Ukrainian nationals. The diplomatic mission stressed that the incident should not be taken as representative of Polish society as a whole.

Source: European Pravda, citing the Consulate General of Ukraine in Kraków on Facebook

Quote: "The Consulate General of Ukraine in Kraków strongly condemns all manifestations of aggression, xenophobia, discrimination and humiliation based on ethnicity. This behaviour and rhetoric are unacceptable and require an appropriate response."

Details: Video footage of the incident shows a man behaving aggressively towards a Ukrainian citizen, chasing him, using abusive and offensive language, including insults related to his Ukrainian ethnicity, and demanding that he leave Poland and return to Ukraine.

The footage also appears to show the man pushing away a young woman who was present at the scene.

The consulate said it is in contact with the relevant Polish authorities and expects a thorough investigation into the incident and an appropriate legal assessment of the actions of those involved.

It also urged Ukrainian citizens to report any cases of threats, aggression, xenophobia or discrimination to the Polish police and to Ukrainian diplomatic missions.

Quote: "Meanwhile, we emphasise that isolated incidents of aggressive behaviour must not serve as grounds for generalisations about Polish society as a whole. We highly value the solidarity and support that Poland and the Polish people continue to show to Ukraine and Ukrainians."

Background:

• A man allegedly threatened and verbally abused two Ukrainian nationals in Kraków. Polish police are now investigating the incident.
• Earlier this week, in Gdańsk, a man assaulted a Ukrainian passer-by and two Polish citizens, calling them "Banderites".
• In Wrocław, a group of Polish men recently attacked a young Ukrainian couple, reportedly after hearing their accent. The suspects have been remanded in custody for three months.
• According to Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, there have been numerous attacks on Ukrainians in Poland since 2022, but Ukrainians have learned how to protect themselves.

Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.