Ukrainian diaspora in Poland takes a stand against corruption

“Every hryvnia must go to defence” – a strong call from the diaspora

Mariia Gryshko, representing the Ukrainian diaspora in Poland, highlighted the growing sense of injustice among ordinary Ukrainians who have carried the burden of war for nearly three years.

- Millions of people are donating their savings, volunteering, and supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, while credible information emerges indicating that significant public funds are being siphoned off by individuals close to President Volodymyr Zelensky. These are not rumours – they are documented in journalistic investigations, reports from U.S. oversight bodies, and witness testimonies, Mariia Gryshko said.

- At a time when every hryvnia should be allocated to Ukraine’s defence, such actions are unacceptable. We must not remain silent. We must demand transparency, independent investigations and real accountability. Only then can we defend our territory and secure a dignified future for Ukraine.

“If we remain indifferent, we will have no country to return to”

A strong social and economic perspective was also presented by Viktoriia Dotsenko, President of the Viktoriia Foundation and Director of the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce’s representative office.

- If we do not unite and remain indifferent to corruption in Ukraine, we simply will not recognise our own country. We will have no place to return to, because Ukraine will no longer exist, Viktoriia Dotsenko warned.

The Viktoriia Foundation has been operating for two years, while Viktoriia Dotsenko has been providing assistance to Ukrainians since 2014. Over the past decade, he has delivered humanitarian and medical support to Ukraine as well as to Polish institutions, aiding hospitals, social care homes, people with disabilities and emergency services on both sides of the border. His perspective is grounded in long-standing, hands-on experience in logistics, humanitarian coordination and the practical monitoring of aid flows.

Why this protest matters to the maritime sector

Although the protest addressed corruption as a nationwide issue, its economic implications are obvious to anyone working in transport, logistics, port operations or the wider maritime sector.

Ukraine is a key pillar of security and stability in the Black Sea region. Before the war, ports such as Odesa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny handled more than 150 million tonnes of cargo annually—from grain and iron ore to chemicals and containers. Corruption directly undermines export performance, investment confidence, cooperation with European partners and future plans for rebuilding port and shipyard infrastructure.

For the Polish maritime sector, the issue is equally relevant. Polish ports have absorbed part of Ukraine’s export flows, Polish logistics and forwarding companies have taken on significant operational and financial risk, and Polish and EU funds will play a role in reconstructing Black Sea transport corridors. The stability of Kyiv directly influences investment, long-term planning and the overall security environment in the region.

Corruption in wartime is not an “internal Ukrainian problem.” It affects freight rates, insurance, shipowner decisions, transport corridor management and the future operational safety of Ukrainian ports—whose full restoration will be one of the major challenges of the coming years.

A warning signal from Warsaw – with Ukraine’s reconstruction in the background

The Warsaw demonstration can be interpreted as a clear signal not only to the authorities in Kyiv but also to international partners. The diaspora, which has supported Ukraine in practical ways for nearly a decade, demands transparency to ensure that the reconstruction of the country—including its maritime economy—is not weakened by systemic corruption.

For the maritime industry, this is not a marginal issue. It indicates that before billions of euros and dollars are invested in rebuilding ports, auxiliary fleets, quays, and maritime security systems, societal pressure for accountability is rising—and will continue to rise.

The Ukrainian diaspora’s message is unequivocal: there can be no strong Black Sea region, no stable ports and no secure transport corridors without a transparent and accountable state. It is a signal the maritime sector cannot afford to ignore—especially in a region where past corruption once played a role in weakening entire maritime industries.