In Rzeszów, Poland, one can observe how the influx of Ukrainian war refugees is changing the face of the place. The small town is experiencing an unprecedented boom. Not everyone is a fan of this change. –
Four balloons in the Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow flutter near the entrance to a store in the southeastern Polish city of Rzeszów. A banner on the wall promises: “Best from Ukraine” – the best from Ukraine. The small room is loaded with Ukrainian products: there is borscht, sweets from the Roshen factory, the company of former President Petro Poroshenko, Lviv coffee, Veres sauces and sunflower oil.
“Many Ukrainians in Rzeszów long for local products,” says saleswoman Anna, who came to Poland from Vinnytsia shortly after the Russian attack – and now speaks almost perfect Polish. The reason: “There are also many Polish buyers who like our products.”