Ukrainian diaspora in Wrocław: thousands voice concern over corruption and the future of maritime ports

Over 2,000 Ukrainians, living in Wrocław and visiting from Warsaw, Gdańsk, Lublin, and Germany, gathered on Saturday in front of the Wrocław City Hall to protest against corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and social inequality in Ukraine.

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22 december 2025   |   17:35   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

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Organized by the Ukrainian diaspora and non-governmental organizations, the demonstration called for greater transparency in public finances and responsible allocation of resources toward the country’s defense and citizens’ basic needs.

Budget controversies amid war

The protest comes amid serious financial challenges. According to the budget law passed by the Verkhovna Rada on December 3, 2025, Ukraine’s 2026 budget deficit is projected at USD 41.5 billion, representing 18.5% of GDP. Revenues are expected to reach around USD 69 billion, with expenditures totaling USD 116 billion, requiring over USD 45 billion in external funding.

International aid remains crucial, including USD 10 billion from the EU via the Ukraine Facility and USD 11.3 billion from the USA, Japan, and Canada.

Protesters criticized budget allocations that fail to address immediate defense needs, including investments unrelated to the front line, increasing funding for central government institutions, and major spending on state media and propaganda projects, including the “United News” telethon.

Nominal defense spending is projected at approximately UAH 2.8 trillion, but adjusted for inflation, it represents a real-term decrease. No salary increases are planned for soldiers, healthcare workers, or social service employees.

Voices of frustration and determination

The crowd outside City Hall held banners and Ukrainian flags, chanting slogans demanding accountability.

- When I listen to economic experts commenting on next year’s state budget, I’m speechless. The country is at war — boys are fighting and dying, people are left without electricity, and the authorities calmly allocate billions to a telethon, said Mykyta Samsonenko, a Wrocław resident.

- When a person’s pension is only USD 50 while government salaries increase, any words about unity sound hollow. People see who gets rich and who survives on the last penny. Soon, authorities will have to answer for everything — the failing energy sector, stolen funds, and the suffering of ordinary people, added Lidija Hublick, a retiree living in Wrocław.

Corruption blocks port development: what future for Ukraine’s maritime economy?

Among the participants were Ukrainians from port cities, emphasizing that corruption affects strategic maritime hubs along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, threatening economic activity and residents’ livelihoods.

- In Odessa, we see how corruption undermines the operation of ports and the city’s infrastructure. It’s not just luxury for the few — it’s a real threat to ordinary people and national security, said Olena Moroz, a protest participant from Odessa.

- I live in Mariupol and see how corruption blocks the port’s development, affects businesses, and impacts daily life. We want authorities to support citizens, not enrich a select few, stressed Kateryna Lysenko, visiting from Mariupol.

- Even though I live in Wrocław, I think daily about what’s happening in Ukrainian ports. Thousands suffer due to opaque spending, and strategic maritime cities are left to fend for themselves, added Dmytro Shevchenko, visiting from Odessa.

- Odessa taught me that communities can survive only when authorities act responsibly. Corruption in ports harms everyone — from workers to ordinary residents. That’s why I came to Wrocław, to make my voice heard, reiterated Olena Moroz.

Alarming signals from home and abroad

Organizers cited reports from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Transparency International, which indicate that systemic abuses during wartime weaken national defense capabilities and erode trust among international partners.

The protest also referenced statements made by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2024–2025, emphasizing the need for accountability in international aid.

Diaspora calls for accountability and transparency

The demonstration was civil and solidarity-driven, with participants urging rational public spending, strengthened anti-corruption controls, and focusing resources on national defense and citizens’ protection.

- We cannot allow billions to vanish in inefficient projects or luxury investments for a select few. Every government decision has real consequences for the lives of ordinary people and national security, protesters emphasized.

As the crowd dispersed, the message remained clear: Ukrainians will not remain silent on corruption and mismanagement, and government decisions will continue to be closely monitored both at home and abroad.

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