WARSAW / PRUSZKÓW Marta Małeckan everyday is helping. For a year, it has been clear to the entrepreneur from Warsaw where his energy and attention must be directed.
– I am a serial entrepreneur and responsible for several companies. But since February 24, 100 percent of my time has been spent helping Ukrainians.
Małecka is one of the founders of the Polish volunteer organization Be a Hero. The idea was born when Małecka and his friends started to think about how the help of the Poles to the Ukrainians could be channeled and made more effective.
– I thought that I could use my commercial expertise to make aid more effective.
Małecka shows the organization’s warehouses near Warsaw, where products bought with donations are stored for shipment to Ukraine.
In addition to basic foodstuffs and goods, the organization sends equipment needed by the defense forces to Ukraine, such as sleeping pads and vehicles.
– Ukraine won’t win the war only with rice and protein rations, Małecka says to the unit.
The attack sparked a desire to help
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has awakened an unprecedented desire to help in Poles.
1.4 million Ukrainians had sought temporary protection in the country. No other country has received as many Ukrainian refugees.
When the war started, thousands of Poles went to the border against Ukraine to receive people fleeing the war. Many Poles accommodated Ukrainians in their homes.
Director of the Polish Foreign Policy Institute Sławomir Dębski according to the Ukrainian war, the desire to help has similarities with the history of Poland.
– I would call the Poles’ attitude and way of responding to the war in Ukraine a new uprising in Poland. Everything happened without an order from above. The war touched us all and everyone wanted to do something to help Ukraine, says Dębski.
It is easy for Poles, who were part of the Soviet Union’s privileged circle, to adapt to the situation in Ukraine, Dębski continues. In Poland, they feel that the Ukrainians are also fighting for them.
– The Russians will not stop in Ukraine unless they are stopped there.
Poland sends weapons and trains
Poland’s military support for Ukraine is also significant.
According to the survey of the Kiel Economic Research Institute (you will switch to another service) After Britain and Germany, Poland is the European country that has given the most arms aid.
In relation to population and gross domestic product, Poland is a more significant provider of arms aid than Germany. Poland has also persuaded Germany to allow the export of Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine.
We have been warning about Russia’s neo-imperialist policy for a long time.
Andrzej Kozłowski, researcher
A researcher at the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, which focuses on foreign and security policy Andrzej Kozłowski according to it is natural that Poland, which is at the forefront, invests more than Germany in military support for Ukraine.
– It was easier for us to support because helping Ukraine is viewed so positively. This is also considered our war.
Kozłowski emphasizes that Poland is the only country with a common border with all parties to the war, i.e. Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
In addition, Poland has an important position as a hub for aid supplies sent to Ukraine.
The warnings related to Russia have been heard
Sławomir Dębskin emphasizes that Poland has been warning about the threat posed by Russian neo-imperialism for years.
Poland criticized, among other things, the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.
After the Russian invasion, there is more understanding for Poland’s views.
– Our task is to go to Paris, London and, if necessary, also to Washington, to tell them that there is no time to waste. If Ukraine loses, we will live in a completely different and much more dangerous world.
According to Dębski, investments in the defense of Ukraine increase Poland’s credibility in international contexts.
President of the United States Joe Biden arrives today for a visit to Poland.
Concern for Poland’s own security
Behind the arms aid is also a concern for Poland’s own security. Several experts interviewed by estimate that Russia’s attention may shift to other European states if Ukraine falls.
According to researcher Andrzej Kozłowski, Poland is also facing a concrete threat.
– Poland may be the next target for Russia’s aggressive policy. But even without it, the loss of Ukraine would have huge economic implications for us.
According to Kozłowski, Ukraine’s defeat would require Poland to significantly increase its defense budget and restore conscription.
Relations with Hungary have suffered
The Russian attack has also had an impact on Poland’s relations with other European countries.
Prime minister Viktor Orbán the reluctance to decide on sanctions against Russia has cooled the traditionally warm relations between the national conservative governments of Poland and Hungary.
– There is no understanding for a policy that sympathizes with Russia in Poland, not in the government, not in society more broadly, says Dębski of the Foreign Policy Institute.
According to Dębski, Hungary has made a mistake by betting on good relations with Russia in the hope of cheap gas and nuclear technology.
– They imagined that their economy would start to rise with the help of good relations with Russia.
War creates new partnerships
Dębski estimates that the attitude towards Russia and the war in Ukraine creates new partnerships and dividing lines in Europe.
Researcher and expert on Eastern Central Europe Adam Balcer is on the same lines.
– Our best friends can be found in the north, Balcer says, referring to the Baltic countries, the Nordic countries and Britain and their attitude to the Russian attack.
Balcer emphasizes that geographical location does not in itself define the attitude of European countries to the Russian invasion. However, not all neighbors support Ukraine like Poland, he states.
Balcer considers Germany’s decision to allow Leopard 2 main battle tanks to be sent to Ukraine to be significant. Along with Germany, the role of other big countries in supporting Ukraine should also be discussed.
– Italy and France have better defense forces than Germany. They should also commit to supporting Ukraine more than now.
The struggle with the EU continues
The dispute over compliance with the principles of the rule of law has been straining the relations between Poland and the EU for several years.
The EU has demanded that the problems related to the independence of the judiciary be fixed if Poland wants its EU support in full.
As a result of the Russian attack, the discussion about Poland’s problems has taken a back seat. Brussels recognizes Poland’s central importance as a supporter of Ukraine.
According to researcher Kozłowski, problems related to the principles of the rule of law have not been forgotten.
– The Polish government believes that they can use this as leverage and influence the EU Commission to make them forget about the problems related to the principles of the rule of law. However, it seems that the government will have to change its attitude to get the money.
According to entrepreneur Marta Małecka, the solidarity shown to Ukraine is something that all Poles can be proud of, regardless of political divides.
– Russia’s attack on Ukraine reminded us that in addition to freedom, solidarity is also an important value for us. The solidarity movement created a change in Poland in the 80s and made us a free country. War reminds us of its meaning.