"Putin is attacking because he has suffered defeats on the international stage. The opposition is behaving improperly. I will recall the statements of Schetyna or Kidawa-Błońska attacking the government. In a situation where Poland is being attacked, we would expect support for the government from the opposition, not an attack, and such an attack has taken place. It's clear that some alleged political benefits outweigh the interests of the Polish state. This is improper behavior" - said Minister Mariusz Błaszczak on Jedynka radio.

„It's clear they haven't agreed on a unified message in the opposition, because after all, Grzegorz Schetyna and Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska attacked the government in their statements. If Donald Tusk claims so [that there should be a common stance from the authorities and the opposition], there is an easy solution, which is to support the government, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. There is a statement issued by the Prime Minister, also in English and Russian, so that it reaches the international public opinion as quickly as possible. They are an example of the best course of action. It's enough to support the Polish government's position” - said Minister Mariusz Błaszczak on Polskie Radio Jedynka.

https://twitter.com/donaldtusk/status/1211309621765386240

- Brushing them aside, no. We didn't consider brushing them aside, because one must always react at some level to such statements. Initially, because these statements weren't a single utterance by Putin that is most talked about right now, but a whole series of different statements. We initially reacted to them even before the holidays with a statement that was on the ministry's website and was also widely commented on in the media. However, the Russian side then further escalated its narrative. The ambassador was summoned at the level of a department director, which is the appropriate level for this type of working contact. Nevertheless, given that we perceived a certain dissatisfaction with these reactions, after various consultations, we decided it would be appropriate to react at a higher level - stated Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Paweł Jabłoński in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- Putin's attack is a reaction to the successes of Polish diplomacy, both in the historical sphere. On September 19th, the European Parliament, at the initiative of my faction, the European Conservatives and Reformists, adopted a historic resolution acknowledging that the Stalin-Hitler pact, signed on August 23, 1939, significantly contributed to the outbreak of World War II. Simultaneously, the EP recognized that the communist regime and communist totalitarianism are responsible for as many, and some argue even more, victims than Nazi totalitarianism. Both of these totalitarianisms should be condemned - said Adam Bielan in an interview with Wojciech Dąbrowski on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

- We have been watching what is happening during this time. This is not a one-off situation. We are ready for a very long information war with Russia. This information war is likely calculated to coincide with the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in a month, and the end of World War II five months after that, when further statements of this kind will appear. One can react very quickly, without planning, without deeper thought, but one can also consider what effect it will have. If we had reacted immediately, Putin's initial statement would have been amplified more. By letting it rest for a while, Putin's original narrative has died - stated Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Rozmowa Piaseckiego".

- It must be noted that the statement published by Prime Minister Morawiecki has garnered a very significant international response. This is important, worthy of emphasis - said Michał Dworczyk in a conversation with Marcin Wikło on TVP1's "Political Quarter Hour".

- We are very pleased with the informational reach. After the publication of the Prime Minister's statement, just three hours later, there were 189 publications worldwide, not counting Polish ones. The reach exceeded 380 million online - he added.

- This is a printout from one of the occupation newspapers from December 1939. At that time, there was no normal press in Poland, precisely because of the occupation. Józef Stalin is thanking Hitler for the wishes conveyed by the Third Reich's leader, emphasizing the friendship between the German and Soviet nations, strengthened by blood, and stating that this friendship will be long and lasting. I believe that statements of this kind are much stronger than some snippets taken out of context from the letters of one ambassador or another – stated Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Paweł Jabłoński in an interview with Konrad Piasecki on TVN24's "Piasecki's Interview".

- I am very glad that Donald Tusk could afford such a comment and such an assessment, especially since he was one of the proponents of this warming of Polish-Russian relations. 'Our man in Moscow, our man in Warsaw' – we recall these statements and media comments. However, this is indeed the only way. There should be a united front of all those who act in Poland's interest - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Marcin Wikło on TVP1's 'Political Quarter Hour'.

- Undoubtedly, the Senate has today become a very important instrument for the opposition to fight the government. I hope that such pro-state attitudes will prevail among PO senators, and wherever unity and agreement are needed, where swift processing of projects important from the citizens' perspective is required, we will be able to count on substantive engagement - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Marcin Wikło on TVP1's "Political Quarter Hour".

„He attacked Poland [Vladimir Putin] in an audacious and mendacious way. This must be emphasized, because it has no bearing on historical facts – what President Putin was saying. I don't know if it was the [European Parliament] resolution from September that triggered such a reaction” – said Andrzej Halicki from Civic Coalition on Polskie Radio Jedynka.

https://twitter.com/USAmbPoland/status/1211588886096420870

"We are all outraged by these unacceptable words from the President of Russia. This is not the first time the President of Russia has attempted to falsify history. All of us – whether from the opposition or the ruling camp – are here to defend the good name of Poland, Polish women and men, and to resist the falsification of history" – said Borys Budka, the head of the Civic Coalition club, in Krakow.

„Decisions, reactions from the Polish government, even if delayed, should also be supported by the opposition. I make such a declaration on behalf of Civic Coalition, Civic Platform. We are surprised by the President's silence. This is a time when the head of state should speak out very strongly on this matter. I regret that there has been no such voice so far. We are pleased with the reaction of the Prime Minister, albeit delayed, but I want to believe that the time between President Putin's outrageous words and the reaction in the Council of Ministers was devoted to diplomatic efforts” – said the head of the Civic Coalition club, Borys Budka, in Krakow.

The Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact served to prepare Nazi Germany's criminal war of aggression against Poland. The USSR, together with Germany, participated in this brutal division of Poland.

The Polish state's independence and sovereignty were violated by both totalitarian regimes.

We remember the victims of these crimes and stand by Poland's side.

- I observe with astonishment how the opposition is fitting into this scenario, which is aimed at provoking us, at making us argue among ourselves. And there's no basis for an argument, because there's no disagreement in the world regarding the origins of World War II - said Witold Waszczykowski in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on the program "Wydarzenia i Opinie" (Events and Opinions) on Polsat News.

- A ship named 'Poland' set adrift somewhere won't work in these matters. We need to reach universities, we need an idea on how to influence the intellectual elites in Anglo-Saxon countries. We need to approach this a bit differently, more professionally - said Paweł Kowal in an interview with Piotr Witwicki on Polsat News's "Wydarzenia i Opinie" program.

- These elections are among the most important political events in the country. Different people treat this with a slight smile. I tell everyone this: Imagine we are a democracy, which is currently having some troubles, I admit. This is also why I am active in politics today. But the opposition leader must be an experienced enough, well-prepared individual to take the helm of the government if the situation arises. This is a normal part of the system in a democracy – said Paweł Kowal in a conversation with Piotr Witwicki on the program “Wydarzenia i Opinie” on Polsat News.

- For now, there is no offer from either the government or President Duda to formulate a common position [regarding Vladimir Putin's words]. On foreign policy matters, regardless of how much divides us on internal issues, we should speak with one voice – stated Jan Grabiec in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach" (Facts After Facts).

- As of today, in my assessment, the ball is not in our court. The Prime Minister's response [to Vladimir Putin's words] was so strong, so well-written, translated into many languages, and reached such a broad international public audience that today the ball is in the Russians' court. The question is how they will behave. Our diplomatic services are preparing a response to various scenarios of President Putin's administration's behavior, and I assume our reaction will be at least symmetrical - stated Kamil Bortniczuk in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

„I am aware of why this entire dispute was initiated. It was to divide us not only from Europe and Russia, but also to divide us internally. The first thing I would do, before making that call [to Putin], is to meet with everyone responsible for foreign policy in Poland, including the opposition, and develop a common Polish stance on these lies and manipulations found in President Putin's statement” – said presidential candidate Szymon Hołownia in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News.

"I think so [I would sign the Prime Minister's statement]. It is indeed a very sharp and resolute statement [from the Prime Minister], recalling certain elementary truths from our history. The situation is unprecedented. The president of a country that is our important neighbor, regardless of how our relations stand, is playing the historical card in a tactical manner" - said Szymon Hołownia, a presidential candidate, in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News.

- I am concerned by the talk that the President [Duda] will speak [on Vladimir Putin's words] after January 6th, that there are holidays, and that he will speak after the holidays. This is coming from the political environment of PiS. It seems MEP Adam Bielan spoke about this, as it is some kind of disregard for a very serious situation for Poland - stated Jan Grabiec in a conversation with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

- I am more concerned about the statements of your presidential candidate, who is using this situation [Vladimir Putin's words], and this absolutely should not be done. A candidate for the highest office in the state should not allow herself to do this, to attack the head of state - stated Kamil Bortniczuk in an interview with Anita Werner on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach".

„I don't know [if I would pardon Jan Śpiewak]; I would have to see the petition, familiarize myself with the documents. What we know in the public domain is not what the court knows. I have heard various things and read various things. I have read leaks from the court that the media have revealed, and I have read what Jan Śpiewak has written. He highlights very important issues, but sometimes perhaps does so in a way that could be more considered” - said presidential candidate Szymon Hołownia in an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Polsat News.