H.E. Ms Anna Sochaska:

I thank the members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs for the opportunity to make this address. It is an extremely difficult time for Ukraine, Poland and, indeed, for all of Europe. Poland has been vocal about the rising Russian threat, but unfortunately our warnings have often been dismissed as unfounded. It is a very good time to recall the words of the late President of Poland, Professor Lech Kaczyski, in 2008 at a meeting of the presidents of central and eastern Europe in Tbilisi following the invasion of Georgia, "We know very well that today it is Georgia, tomorrow it will be Ukraine, the day after tomorrow the Baltic States, and perhaps the next one in line will be my country, Poland." I emphasise that statement was made in 2008. Today, it is 2022 and we are now afraid we can expect the worst from Russia and its leader, Putin, whose name now rightly appears alongside that of Hitler and Stalin. As the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, has recently said, Russia may resort to a chemical weapons attack, since the plan to capture Ukraine quickly has failed. My only hope is we will not go back to business as usual after the ensuing tragedy of the Ukrainian nation.

In terms of the EU reaction and the Polish position, we must introduce tough sanctions and make them work. Measures adopted by the European Union were unprecedented, but so far they have not been strong enough to stop efficiently the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The real sanctions against the Kremlin will be removing European dependence on Russian oil and gas. We have to suspend the import of coal, oil and petroleum products from Russia. For years Poland has advocated against the Nord Stream 2 project. Its construction has shown how many politicians were prepared to sell our values for the chance to make a good deal. While Poland is glad to see it blocked now, Nord Stream 1 must also be closed. Billions of euro go through Nord Stream 1 to Russia. Let my quote my Prime Minister who said, “You must remember that it is not just gas that is flowing through the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines but also the blood of soldiers, mothers and children.” For the moment we must do our utmost to support the war refugees fleeing the Russian invasion. More than 2.5 million people have now fled war-torn Ukraine, among them more than 1.7 million who have crossed the Polish border. Among the refugees who came to Poland in connection with the armed conflict in the Ukraine, only a few percent are citizens of third countries, that is, other than EU member states and Ukraine. Most of the refugees are women and children who left the country in a hurry and need shelter, food and warm clothes. However, there are also orphans, people in need of urgent special medical assistance and people with disabilities. The Polish Government has introduced a very swift system of taking care of the refugees as soon as they reach the border, providing them with food, clothes, SIM cards, necessary medical aid and then providing buses and trains free of charge to take them quickly away from the border so as not to clog up the flow of refugees. There are also many non-governmental organisations helping on the ground, as well as Poles who just decided to come over and help spontaneously. I cannot express my pride and admiration for my compatriots. Polish people and increasingly those of other nationalities come to the border offering lifts and accommodation expecting nothing in return. Because of this kindness and generosity we did not have to build a single refugee camp. All who needed shelter have been accepted into private homes, hotels, guest houses and resorts, an example that was mentioned by my dear colleague Mrs. Larisa Miculet, Ambassador of Moldova.

I would also like to commend the overwhelming response to the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia of the Polish community in Ireland. The Polish community in Ireland has reacted very swiftly to the plight of the refugees. Organisations have gathered donations of food, clothes and money and delivered them to the Polish border. Some are now concentrating on helping here in Ireland those who have come to seek refuge here. I am very proud of the Polish diaspora here in Ireland selflessly doing their utmost to help. We in Poland know all too well what war and occupation are, what devastation they cause and therefore, if we can help we always will. In September 1939, Poland was almost at the same time attacked from the west by Nazi Germany and from the east by the Soviet Union and nobody helped us. That is why we are so sensitive and have so much empathy when it comes to Ukraine and Ukrainians. We have the slogan, Poland was First to Fight and now we are First To Help. However the refugee influx is likely to place enormous pressure on my country. We could see 2.5 million refugees coming to Poland, experts estimate the total number of those fleeing Ukraine could be more than 5 million. Five million people as members know, is the population of Ireland. Poland will not be able to sustain this in the long term, as our capacity to absorb refugees will diminish. Therefore we need the help of other countries like Ireland which is already opening its borders and doors to Ukrainian refugees. I am amazed at the goodness that flows from the Irish people, the funds they raised, the donations they gave, the number of people who offered their homes. I offer my sincere gratitude to the Irish Government and the Irish people who once again prove that Ireland truly is the land of a thousand welcomes.

Wherever we live in Europe we must be aware that Ukrainians are defending not only their independence and sovereignty, but also Europe as a whole. As the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said:

Ukraine is fighting not only for itself but for the whole of Europe. I appeal to all leaders and citizens of the EU: this is our common cause and our shared responsibility. Together, we must help the war refugees.

I thank members for their attention.