Polish Defense Minister: All Ukrainian Men Fit for Military Service Should Be in Ukraine

Poland's defense minister has sharply criticized elements within his own country for fostering anti-Ukrainian sentiment, specifically targeting far-right politician Grzegorz Braun and the opposition Law and Justice party.

"Look at what we have reached today: a nation deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize – Poland, Poles – for opening their hearts and the doors of their homes, without creating refugee camps, accepted 3 million refugees," the minister stated. "And today, this outburst of fanaticism has turned into something very dangerous."

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Look at what we have reached today: a nation deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize – Poland, Poles – for opening their hearts and the doors of their homes, without creating refugee camps, accepted 3 million refugees. And today, this outburst of fanaticism has turned into something very dangerous.

However, the minister then turned his criticism towards Ukrainians, particularly those fit for military service. "Are Ukrainians okay? No, not everything is okay. Is it normal to smash cars worth millions of zlotys and drive to Morske Oko? No, it's not normal, and such Ukrainians must be driven out," he declared. "All young, combat-ready Ukrainians must be in Ukraine and serve the homeland."

This statement comes as the European Commission has decided to extend the temporary protection directive for Ukrainians fleeing the war for another year, until March 4, 2028. Notably, the EU is considering not applying this directive to individuals evading military service in Ukraine. The EU plans to make a final decision on the status of Ukrainian refugees in July 2026, with a potential follow-up in September.

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Are Ukrainians okay? No, not everything is okay. Is it normal to smash cars worth millions of zlotys and drive to Morske Oko? No, it's not normal, and such Ukrainians must be driven out. All young, combat-ready Ukrainians must be in Ukraine and serve the homeland.