Well. Let's start with the good news. It seems that the Federal Benefits Unit in Warsaw did their job correctly. I was happy today when I opened our Velo bank account and checked the money in our US account. Both of our Social Security checks were entered into the system, so the money arrived, and apparently the Swift Code has been changed. That was nice to see.
However, when I tried to transfer an amount from that account to our Polish money account, there was a message that said, " Sorry, there is a problem", and it wouldn't let me transfer the money.
I went to the main branch of Velo, but the man who I usually deal with was too busy today to accommodate my unannounced appearance. He asked me to come back on Monday.
Needing to transfer some money today, I went to the branch office at King Cross Shopping Center. They're a young woman tried to help me, but after one and a half hours, and a few phone calls to Warsaw, she told me the IT department in Warsaw was the only one who could fix it. It would take up to 7 days to accomplish that.
My only alternative to get money into the Polish account was to withdraw the money from our American account, go to a currency exchange, exchange the money into Polish money, return to the bank, and deposit it into our Polish account. Of course, I was not happy with that system, but it was the only way to solve the problem today.
I'm having serious doubts that Velo Bank is the best bank to have our money in.
Meanwhile, Ukraine.
US officials have reportedly warned Poland that Russia could stage an armed provocation on NATO territory within months, possibly using drones, missiles or a border incursion to pressure the West to curb support for Ukraine.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, citing The Telegraph, sources close to Polish President Karol Nawrocki said Washington had warned Warsaw that Russia was weighing scenarios that could include drone attacks on critical infrastructure, such as power plants, or a simulated large-scale air attack designed to force Poland to activate its air defenses.
A more radical scenario could involve a hybrid attack in Poland’s border region, potentially with the participation of Belarusian forces. Russia could attempt to explain away a border violation by claiming its troops had become lost because of GPS disruption or were carrying out a rescue mission after a helicopter emergency.
NATO’s most consequential summit since 1949 opens July 7 in Ankara, as the alliance grapples with Trump’s threats to disengage, European underinvestment in defense, and Russia’s escalating hybrid warfare campaign. Ukraine, though not a member, has become indispensable to Europe’s security architecture, fielding one of the continent’s most capable militaries. The summit is expected to reaffirm NATO unity, push Europe toward greater self-reliance, and cement Ukraine’s role in the alliance’s long-term strategy. Source-Kyiv Post
