During the ceremony marking the 195th anniversary of the November Uprising, President Karol Nawrocki delivered a speech that immediately sparked widespread discussion in Poland and abroad. In his address, he recalled that history has repeatedly shown how attempts at reconciliation with Russia end.
The President emphasized:
“There can be no agreements with the Muscovites – neither in the 19th century, nor in the 20th century, nor in the 21st century.”
Nawrocki referred to the brutal policies of the Russian Empire towards the lands of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, but also to Russia’s contemporary aggression against Ukraine. He noted that for centuries, the Kremlin has brought only violence, enslavement, and attempts to destroy national identity.
Historical background of the speech
The November Uprising of 1830–1831 was an independence uprising by the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth against Russian rule. Although it ended in defeat, it became a symbol of the fight for freedom and resistance to Russian domination.
Nawrocki recalled that the message of the uprising remains relevant today – in the 21st century, when Russia is waging a brutal war against Ukraine, attacking civilians and trying to exert political influence in Europe.
A strong political signal
The president’s statement was received as a clear signal to the world that Poland sees no room for compromise with Russia’s aggressive policies. His words are consistent with Warsaw’s firm stance on regional security and support for Ukraine.
Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Nowiny Wschodnie, a news platform followed by more than 140,000 people on social media. A graduate in Journalism and Social Communication, he has been co-creating and developing Nowiny Wschodnie since 2017. He gained professional experience working with local and international media.
He specializes in fact-checking, countering disinformation and propaganda, and information security. His work focuses on Poland, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and Polish-Ukrainian relations. He is also the founder of a non-profit organization working in the fields of integration and intercultural dialogue.