Update: Poland to offer Belarussians free visas to Warsaw Pride?

We reported a month ago that Polish and Belarusian LGBT activists had asked Polish authorities for free visas for poor Belarussian, Russians and Ukrainians to attend Warsaw's 'Equality Parade'. 'Schengen' visas cost €60, beyond the reach of some Eastern Europeans.

The Polish foreign ministry has told the Warsaw parade organisers that people from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine who want to take part in the Parade 11 June will temporarily be able to enter the EU for free. 

The Polish presidency's spokesman in Brussels, Kacper Chmielewski, said Warsaw is keen to promote civil society in general in the EU's eastern neighbourhood.

Update: Barring a few special cases, the Polish foreign ministry has now told Euobserver.com that it will not issue gratis EU visas to people from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.