Polish PM calls rail sabotage Russian ‘state terrorism’

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk speaks during a press conference in the grounds of the Mariynsky Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AFP)

• Poland also announced that it would close the last remaining Russian consulate in Poland still in operation

WARSAW: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday denounced what he said was Russian “state terrorism” after the sabotage of a railway line used to deliver aid to neighboring Ukraine.
In a brief address to parliament, Tusk called on Poles to unite against Moscow’s attempts to “sow discord with Europe, with Ukraine, and, above all, among ourselves.”
“Diversionary acts inspired and organized for months by Kremlin services have recently crossed a critical line, and we can now even speak of state terrorism,” he added.
Tusk claimed their goal was to “destroy human life and destabilize the foundations of the Polish state.”
The two acts, which Warsaw describes as “sabotage,” occurred between Saturday and Monday, and damaged a railway line helping to supply close ally Ukraine.
Warsaw has identified two Ukrainians suspected of acting on behalf of Moscow as the alleged perpetrators and has asked Belarus, an ally of Russia where the two men are believed to have fled, to extradite them.
Poland also announced that it would close the last remaining Russian consulate in Poland still in operation.
Moscow on Tuesday denounced Polish claims about its involvement, accusing Warsaw of “Russophobia.”
In his address, Tusk urged lawmakers not to repeat pro-Russian narratives, reminding them of a large-scale disinformation campaign that has tried to shift the blame onto Ukraine.
“Support Ukraine in its war against Russia without any ‘buts’,” he told parliament.
Tusk called upon nationalist and far-right opposition MPs, as well as Poland’s conservative-nationalist president and his office, not to call European unity into question.
“Support a strong West, not Russia,” the prime minister insisted.
Warsaw has long denounced a “hybrid war” waged by Russia against the West.
“During war, there are no ‘buts’; either you’re for Poland or against it, especially when it comes to national security in the face of the Russian threat,” Tusk added.