PM calls for 'rational approach' to Ukraine

President Bronisław Komorowski (R) and PM Donald Tusk (L) during a press conference following the cabinet meeting on Ukraine. Warsaw, 08.04.2014 Photo: PAP/Jacek Turczyk

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for a more rational approach when dealing with Ukrainian matters. The meeting took place at the intiative of President Bronislaw Komorowski, Tuesday, as John Beauchamp reports.

"We should engage with Ukraine because of our own interests and our own security, but not more than the Ukrainians themselves," PM Donald Tusk said before the cabinet meeting.

"Earlier, Mr Tusk was too militant in his approach," says Professor Wawrzyniec Konarski, a political scientist from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, who adds that "[Tusk's] proposals in the public sphere were unfortunately very futile and were not supported by the EU and the United States."

The tone may have softened up though, with today's meeting looking at the government's practical approach towards Kiev.

Meanwhile, Remi Adekoya, a political editor at the Warsaw Business Journal and a contributor to the UK Guardian, believes that Poland should assist with boosting its neighbour's economy.

"Even when there's unrest the economy still functions, people still have to go to the shops," Adekoya underlines.

Both Konarski and Adekoya believe that Poland should lead the way with civil society initaitives, by sending experts to the country as well as engaging in exchange programmes.

After all, "[Poles] understand the country much better than any western NGOs," Adekoya claims.