Ukraine bars Polish journalist from entering country for three years
Ukraine has denied entry to Polish journalist and conservative commentator Łukasz Warzecha and imposed a three-year entry ban, prompting criticism from the organizers of a media study trip to Kyiv.
Warzecha was traveling to Ukraine on November 2 as part of a visit organized by Poland's Mieroszewski Center and the Ukrainian Institute, a public institution affiliated with Ukraine's Foreign Ministry.
The journalist said Ukrainian border guards held him for more than seven hours before informing him of a three-year ban issued by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
According to Warzecha, the decision cited security considerations. Ukrainian authorities have not publicly explained the specific grounds for the ban
The Mieroszewski Center said the list of invited journalists had been agreed upon with the Ukrainian Institute and subsequently forwarded to the relevant Ukrainian state authorities. No objections to Warzecha's participation were raised during preparations, the center said.
In a statement, the center acknowledged Ukraine's sovereign right to determine who may enter its territory but warned that restrictions affecting journalists could generate controversy and harm Polish-Ukrainian relations.
Warzecha, a right-wing Polish commentator who has frequently criticized Poland's policies supporting Ukraine, accused unspecified elements within Ukraine's security establishment of undermining bilateral relations. He provided no evidence to support the allegation.
The incident also drew criticism from Polish opposition politicians.
Sławomir Mentzen, a leader of Poland's right-wing Confederation party, called for intervention by the Polish Foreign Ministry. Law and Justice lawmaker Andrzej Śliwka also demanded an explanation and said he would raise the matter with the authorities.
It remains unclear whether Warzecha's published views played any role in the entry ban.