In an interview with the Financial Times, Duda cautioned, “Imagine a situation when thousands of people return home from the front lines. Many of those fighting Russia will suffer psychological problems.”
He added that a significant number of soldiers could develop post-traumatic stress disorder and return to their villages and towns where homes, factories, and jobs have been destroyed.
Duda drew parallels to the early 1990s in Russia, recalling how many veterans of the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan later joined criminal gangs after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
“Recall the times when the Soviet Union disintegrated and organized crime surged in Western Europe and the USA,” he said.
Expressing skepticism about the idea of deploying Western troops to Ukraine, Duda noted that Poland is “the most exposed to a potential Russian attack” and emphasized that his country is already providing substantial military and humanitarian support to Ukraine.
“We will continue to help Ukraine in the future because it is necessary. We do not necessarily have to send our troops there,” he stated.
Regarding peace negotiations, Duda suggested that Poland should have a seat at the table, arguing that “if we look at the revived Russian imperialism, the interests of Poland and Ukraine are aligned.”
(jh)
Source: PAP