Ukraine denies entry to Polish journalist Łukasz Warzecha

Polish journalist and commentator Łukasz Warzecha has been issued a three-year ban from entering Ukraine by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The decision followed a seven-hour detention at the border during a study visit to Kyiv.

Warzecha was traveling as part of an organized group for a study visit coordinated by the Mieroszewski Centre and the Ukrainian Institute, a state institution under the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Despite the official nature of the invitation, Ukrainian border guards detained his passport and conducted questioning regarding his purpose for travel. The SBU cited security reasons for the entry ban.

The incident has drawn political attention in Poland. Krzysztof Bosak, Vice-Marshal of the Sejm and leader of the Confederation party, has requested urgent intervention from Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, describing the treatment of the journalist as scandalous. Warzecha suggested that the decision may be driven by specific circles within Kyiv's security structures.