Poland’s president accuses Ukraine of not appreciating war support
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Polish President Karol Nawrocki (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky giving a joint press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, on Dec 19.
PHOTO: EPA
Follow topic:
- Polish President Nawrocki told Zelensky that Poland's extensive aid to Ukraine against Russia is not adequately appreciated by Ukrainians.
- Zelensky affirmed Ukraine's gratitude to Poland, emphasising their shared defence of Europe and vowing to resist Russian attempts to create discord.
- Nawrocki voiced optimism for improved relations and cooperation on historical issues, including the Volhynia massacres, calling it "a new beginning".
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WARSAW - Poland’s nationalist President Karol Nawrocki told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec 19 that Ukrainians failed to appreciate his country’s help for them as they fight off Russia’s invasion.
The accusation, made during a joint press conference, recalled a dramatic confrontation
Poland has taken in more than a million refugees from Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale assault on the country in February 2022, and is among Kyiv’s main arms suppliers.
It is also the principal route for Western military and humanitarian support to its neighbour.
“Poles feel... that our effort, our multifaceted assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion has not been duly appreciated or understood,” Mr Nawrocki said at a press conference during a visit to Warsaw by Mr Zelensky.
“That is what I conveyed during a firm, honest, but very cordial and courteous conversation with President Zelensky.”
Mr Zelensky responded by insisting that “Ukraine has always been grateful to Poland and will remain so.”
He said Ukraine was “defending Europe” against Russia at a very high human cost.
“Russia wants discord, wants to destroy such a strong alliance – the alliance of two nations, through many generations of Ukraine and Poland. We will not let them do it.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was “defending Europe” against Russia at a very high human cost.
PHOTO: EPA
Mr Nawrocki has previously demanded better cooperation concerning the massacres of around 100,000 Poles in the Volhynia region by Ukrainian nationalists between 1943 and 1945.
Mr Nawrocki says the massacres constituted genocide and has accused Kyiv of refusing to acknowledge responsibility.
Warsaw also accuses it of dragging its feet on exhumations of the victims.
On Dec 18, Mr Zelensky expressed goodwill over those issues.
“The Polish side wants to speed up this process, the Ukrainian side is ready to take a step toward it. These are not just words, these are concrete measures,” he said.
Mr Nawrocki voiced “optimism” over Mr Zelensky’s comments.
In a message on X after the meeting, he hailed “a new beginning” in relations with Ukraine.
“Bad news for Putin,” he said. AFP
