www.wroclaw.pl: The situation in Ukraine is more and more alarming. In many cities the protests turned into regular battles with special forces. There are casualties and fatalities. There are battles even in our partner city, Lviv. Supposedly there are more than twenty casualties. How do you assess what's going on there?Rafał Dutkiewicz, the President of Wroclaw: The political tension in Ukraine reached its peak. The discrepancy of opinions of the supporters of European integration and a Western-style democracy, and those who prefer closeness with Russia and want the similar political system is so big that conversations were replaced by violence. It is terrible to see how our important neighbour stands on the edge of a precipice.Can we help the Ukrainians with anything? – I am in permanent contact with the mayor of Lviv, Andrii Sadovyi. Now they need two things: medical help and words of support. It does not surprise me at all. We still remember how we felt in the eighties.What have you told to the mayor?– To hold together and remember that a truly democratic transformation and getting closer to the European Union are worth the sacrifice, because it will provide a better future for the Ukrainians. He smiled and said that the example of Poland gives them a strong motivation and hope. Can we help them financially?– Yes. Help for Ukraine will be organised on the initiative of myself and the board members of the College of Eastern Europe (Kolegium Europy Wschodniej). Soon we will inform the citizens of Wroclaw about the details.
Thank you for the interview.
