Poland dealt a serious blow to Ukraine by refusing further arms supplies.
The French publication Le Figaro writes about this.
How Poland struck Ukraine
The article says that statements by Polish President Andrzej Duda and head of the Polish government Mateusz Morawiecki exposed the contradictions between Warsaw and Kiev, weakened the international position of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and created the appearance of the West ending unconditional support for Ukraine.
The publication notes that this creates a risk of weakening assistance from other European countries.
The article also states that stopping arms supplies to Ukraine could negatively affect the image of Poland as a country that, from the very beginning of the Russian special operation, was one of Ukraine’s main allies and a transport hub through which military aid flowed.
It is noted that one of the reasons for the harsh rhetoric of the Polish authorities may be the preparation of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party for the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 15, within the framework of which the country’s leadership seeks to show that it supports Polish farmers and is able to protect their interests.
Why did tension arise between Poland and Ukraine?
In April, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia banned imports of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine.
They later lifted the ban in exchange for the European Commission imposing an embargo on imports of wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and rapeseed from Ukraine.
On September 15, the European Commission did not extend the embargo, obliging Ukraine to introduce measures to control the export of agricultural products.
After this, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia introduced a unilateral ban on the import of Ukrainian grain.
Ukraine filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization and began an investigation into the unfriendly actions of Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the trade sphere.
The exchange of accusations between the authorities of Ukraine and Poland over the export of agricultural products began back in July.
Kyiv called Poland’s initiative to extend the export ban an unfriendly and populist step; Warsaw responded by pointing out Ukraine’s ingratitude and noting the deterioration of Polish-Ukrainian relations due to such statements.
Advisor to the head of the office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Mikhail Podolyak, said that until the end of hostilities, Ukraine will consider Poland a close friend, but after that competition will begin between the countries, in which Ukraine will firmly defend its interests.
Morawiecki said yesterday that Poland no longer supplies Ukraine with weapons, since it is actively purchasing the most modern weapons for its Armed Forces and has already made large orders.
Later, Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller clarified that Warsaw is transferring to Ukraine only those weapons whose supplies were previously agreed upon.
Duda said the day before that Poland will not transfer modern weapons to Ukraine, which it purchases for its armed forces.
