Polish PM calls on farmers to stop blocking Ukrainian border

MOSCOW. April 19 (Interfax) - Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called on protesting Polish farmers to stop their blockade of the crossings on the border with Ukraine regardless of the reasons behind their protests, Ukrainian media said, citing Polskie Radio.

"We cannot harm Ukraine in any way at a time when its fate is being decided," Tusk said.

Speaking after the European Council summit in Brussels, Tusk described the situation Ukraine has found itself in as extremely difficult, adding that the upcoming period may prove to be critical to it.

"I want to appeal to everyone in Poland without exception [and ask] not to do anything that could harm Ukraine. We must make decisions that will protect the Polish border and border crossings," he said.

In line with the government's latest decision, border crossings have critical infrastructure status, and the government is ready to provide further assistance to farmers who have lost some of their income not through their own fault, Tusk said.

"I am counting on them to stop this form of protest," he said.

State services will start clearing the border crossings, Tusk said, adding he does not believe that direct coercive measures are necessary in this case.