Polish farmers’ protest banner draws ire in Kyiv
The banner calls on Putin to ‘get Ukraine in order,’ leading to a police investigation
Polish police announced Wednesday that they are investigating a banner displayed during a farmers’ protest, which called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to take control of Ukraine, sparking outrage in Kyiv.
The protests by farmers in Poland are in response to what they perceive as unfair competition from cheaper imports from their eastern neighbor, which has strained relations between Warsaw and Kyiv.
During the latest protests on Tuesday in Gorzyczki, southern Poland, farmers unveiled a banner reading “Putin, get Ukraine, Brussels, and our government in order,” accompanied by a Soviet flag attached to a tractor.
The banner’s image quickly spread on social media, eliciting strong reactions from Ukrainian users.
Police confiscated the banner and the flag during the demonstration.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into charges of promoting a fascist or totalitarian regime and inciting hatred, which could lead to a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
Recent protests by Polish farmers have included road blockades to the border and the disposal of Ukrainian grain from trucks and freight cars.
Ukraine, previously known as “Europe’s breadbasket,” has faced significant disruptions in its agriculture sector because of Russia’s invasion.
The conflict has led to blockades of many of its Black Sea export hubs and rendered some of its farmland unusable.
Source: Newsroom
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