{
  "id": 37432,
  "title": "Poland: Prime Minister Tusk defies anti-Ukrainian violence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/poland-prime-minister-tusk-defies-anti-ukrainian-violence",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-02T09:24:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/poland-prime-minister-tusk-defies-anti-ukrainian-violence/a-78203187?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned anti-Ukrainian violence, stating that thugs, hooligans, and a culture of violence are becoming increasingly brazen and insolent, often with political support. This came after three Polish men brutally attacked a Ukrainian man and his girlfriend in Wroclaw, with the attackers taking issue with the couple's Ukrainian accents. Polish police swiftly arrested two of the attackers and are seeking the third. Tusk warned that such incidents harm Poland's international reputation, which has been greatly enhanced by its assistance during Russia's war against Ukraine. The country has taken in over one million Ukrainian refugees and currently hosts around 1.5 million Ukrainians who contribute to the Polish economy.\n\nHowever, anti-Ukrainian incidents have surged in recent years, with more than 180 hate crimes recorded in the first half of 2026 — a third more than in 2025. This includes verbal and physical attacks on Ukrainians in public spaces, as well as fake news about Ukrainian crimes against Poles on the internet. The controversy intensified when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded an honorary title to a Ukrainian army unit, the UPA, which Poland holds responsible for the mass murder of Polish civilians during World War II. Tusk criticized Zelenskyy's decision but believes the reactions on both sides are exaggerated and counterproductive. A majority of Poles (54%) now oppose taking in more Ukrainian refugees, according to a recent poll, while only 42% support maintaining the current policy. The center-left government under Prime Minister Tusk has strongly condemned the anti-Ukrainian attacks and called on President Nawrocki to condemn the violence.",
  "summary": "Anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland is on the rise, with numerous attacks against refugees from the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has spoken out against the violence and warned of the danger from Russia.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Notes from Poland",
        "title": "The split in Poland’s opposition could help them unseat Tusk’s government [Opinion]",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/31/the-split-in-polands-opposition-could-help-them-unseat-tusks",
        "published": "2026-07-31T14:38:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}