Pro-Russian activist to lead 'geostrategic studies' at Polish private university: report

A private university in the Polish Baltic city of Gdańsk has opened recruitment for new postgraduate courses in geopolitics led by a controversial pro-Russian political figure, according to a report by investigative outlet OKO.press.

Leszek Sykulski, a Polish politician and political scientist known for his pro-Russian views.

Photo: Sykulski, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Leszek Sykulski, founder of the pro-Russian Polish Anti-War Movement and the Bezpieczna Polska (Safe Poland) party, will head the "Geopolitics and Geostrategy" programme at the Higher School of Social and Economic Studies (WSSE).

Sykulski, a political scientist by training, has largely withdrawn from public life after openly expressing pro-Russian views, being photographed with Russia's ambassador and establishing pro-Kremlin organisations.

OKO.press says he "is now making a comeback."

The two-semester programme, due to start on March 1, will be delivered remotely.

Prorosyjski polityk Leszek Sykulski uruchamia „geostrategiczne” studia na prywatnej uczelni w Gdańsku. Szkoła zaprasza na nie… oficerów służb mundurowych. O uczelni było już głośno z powodu zarzutów korupcyjnych dla rektora @Anna_Mierzynska https://t.co/oJqUdn0btI

— OKO.press (@oko_press) February 16, 2026

According to the university, the courses are aimed at "public and local government officials, uniformed service officers and personnel, analysts, journalists and think-tank experts."

OKO.press reports that since the start of this year, the rector of the university has been Eryk Kowalczyk, a theologian and Polish Army officer.

He is described as a long-time associate of Sykulski.

The development comes amid heightened concerns in Poland about Russian influence following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

(ał/gs)

Source: IAR, OKO.press