Russia-Ukraine war: We’re not turning Africans away from our borders, says Poland

The Polish government says it is not turning away Africans and non-white people seeking to cross its border from Ukraine.

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops on Thursday, thousands of people have been trying to flee the country to neighbouring countries for safety.

But there have been reports that non-white people, particularly blacks, are being turned away at the border by Ukrainian soldiers and Polish border guards.

A Nigerian medical student at Poland/Ukraine border (Medyka-Shehyni) told me she has been waiting 7hrs to cross, she says border guards are stopping black people and sending them to the back of the queue, saying they have to let 'Ukrainians' through first.

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— Stephanie Hegarty (@stephhegarty) February 26, 2022

Ukrainian army and Police are threatening to shoot us at Ukraine -Poland border.
They refused to let Africans cross for 2 days.#AfricansinUkraine

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— Nze (@nzemmili) February 27, 2022

Hearing from another student in Lviv this morning who says Africans are not being allowed to board trains to the border are being left on platform. Too many testimonies now to discount. #AfricansinUkraine

— Stephanie Hegarty (@stephhegarty) February 27, 2022

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SA students & other Africans have been badly treated at the #Ukrain/Poland border. 🇿🇦 Amb J Mngomezulu has driven from Warsaw (5 hours) to go deal with the matter, receive our nationals & offer further support. 🇿🇦 Amb G Tsengiwe in Hungary is also attending to SANs on his side.

— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) February 27, 2022

However, the Polish authorities dismissed the reports as “fake news”, saying the country was not discriminating against non-white people.

Poland said it is accepting refugees “in accordance with outlined procedures”, and that about 200,000 refugees have found shelter in the country notwithstanding their nationality.

“Reports suggesting that the Polish authority are segregating refugees from Ukraine on the basis of race or religion are both false and outrageous. Poland is accepting refugees in accordance with outlined procedures,” the Polish government said via Twitter.

“Poland admits citizens of different countries in accordance with the existing procedures. We urge for prudence and to refrain from disseminating disinformation.

“Almost 200,000 refugees have already found shelter in Poland regardless of their nationality. There is no discrimination!

“FACT: Refugees fleeing war-stricken Ukraine are entering Poland regardless of their nationality. THERE IS NO DISCRIMINATION!”

⛔ #StopFakeNews!

Poland admits citizens of different countries in accordance with the existing procedures.

ℹ️ We urge for prudence and to refrain from disseminating disinformation.#PolandFirstToHelp pic.twitter.com/j9njei3jUc

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) February 27, 2022

Almost 200,000 refugees have already found shelter in Poland regardless of their nationality. There is no discrimination!#StopFakeNews #CheckYourSources #PolandFirstToHelp pic.twitter.com/un2YJ18vNC

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) February 27, 2022

Over 200 people have lost their lives to the war and more than 1000 have been injured since the Russian invasion started.

Delegations from the two warring countries are expected to meet for talks “without preconditions” on the Ukraine-Belarus border today.

For safety reasons, President Volodymyr Zelensky had said he would not hold talks with Russia on the territory of Belarus, but Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus, assured him that no military force will be used against Ukraine.