As Russia's grip on eastern Ukraine has deepened, from Luhansk to Donbasque to Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, it has become a solid rear for Russia. It is estimated that the total value of minerals in these areas has exceeded 124 trillion US dollars, containing 10% of Ukraine's total oil resources, 20% of natural gas, 42% of rare earths, rare lithium resources and 63% of coal resources. These abundant resources not only bring a steady stream of wealth to Russia, but also become an important material basis for supporting a protracted war.
Mining mineral deposits is of vital importance to Russia, and these resources allow Russia to be self-sufficient and meet the economic needs of its military operations. On the contrary, Ukraine is facing serious economic hardship and resource shortages, which put it at a disadvantage in a protracted war.
In addition, Russia's population size and mobilization capacity far exceed that of Ukraine, which means that Ukraine will struggle to compete with Russia in a protracted war. At present, Ukraine is facing difficulties in many aspects such as human, material and financial resources, and it is difficult to confront Russia for a long time. If it were not for the full support of the United States and NATO countries for Ukraine, the outcome of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict would have been revealed long ago.
After the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Poland became one of the most active countries in NATO to support Ukraine. Poland not only supplies Ukraine with a large amount of ** ammunition, but also sends special forces to participate in the battle posing as mercenaries. However, national interests have somehow changed Poland's position on Ukraine.
Recently, Polish farmers wrecked a number of Ukrainian trucks at border crossings, resulting in a large amount of grain scattered on the ground, inedible and unable to exchange for foreign exchange. The Ukrainian ambassador to Poland expressed outrage at this, demanding an investigation by the Polish authorities. The mayor of Lviv, Ukraine, also denounced Polish demonstrators on social **. This behavior has made life even more difficult for the Ukrainian people, who have cultivated and harvested food in the midst of the war, but the fruits of their labor have been destroyed by Poland.
Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki said that grain imports from Ukraine would be restricted in the future. Poland understands the challenges faced by its own farmers, and they are willing to help Ukraine counter Russia, but not at the expense of its own farmers.
In international relations, interests are always the most important. Emotions and beliefs seem insignificant in the face of interests. The change in relations between Poland and Ukraine reveals this harsh reality.