Poland has said it will not continue to supply weapons to Ukraine after a diplomatic dispute arose over remarks made by President Zelensky at the United Nations where he criticised countries for continuing a ban on Ukrainian grain imports which they say is necessary to protect their own farmers.
Poland had summoned Ukraine’s ambassador after Zelensky told the United Nations that some of the country’s friends in Europe were acting “in a political theatre – making a thriller from grain”.
The European Commission last week decided to lift restrictions on the import of cheap grain from Ukraine, a measure undertaken in May to allow Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary to protect their farmers from an influx of cheap produce, while allowing the transit of Ukrainian grains to other EU countries.
But Hungary, Slovakia and Poland were unhappy with the move, and the trio announced they would impose their own bans on Ukrainian grain, despite the Commission decision.
That seemed to prompt Zelensky’s remarks made in the public square which has now escalated into a dispute between Poland and Ukraine.
I cannot fathom what good Zelensky thinks a statement like this will do. Accusing Poland & Slovakia (and others) of being proxies or stalking horses for Moscow b/c of a dispute over grain exports is incredibly insulting to two nations who've been stalwart supporters. pic.twitter.com/jbtcYhrhh9
— Patrick Fox (@RealCynicalFox) September 19, 2023
Warsaw responded angrily, saying Zelensky’s remark was “unjustified concerning Poland, which has supported Ukraine since the first days of the war”.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland had decided to focus on its own defence needs: “We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons,” he said.
“We were the first to do a lot for Ukraine and that’s why we expect for them to understand our interests,” he told Polsat News. “Of course we respect all of their problems, but for us, the interests of our farmers are the most important thing”.
He added that while Poland was helping Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, the country had to ensure it’s grain markets being were not destabilised by imports.
In addition, Polish Prime President made waves when he told spoke to reporters comparing Ukraine to a drowning person who might harm those who were trying to help.
🇺🇦🇵🇱 “Ukraine is like a drowning man who will drag down those who are trying to help him.”
— Andrzej Duda, Polish President pic.twitter.com/SV4IJxGNbO
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) September 20, 2023
Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, had criticised the EU Commission’s decision to lift the grain ban, saying: “It’s time to take matters into our own hands! Ukrainian agricultural products destined for Africa are flooding Central European markets.”
Hungary has moved to ban ban 24 Ukrainian products such as grains, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, certain meat products, honey and eggs, Politico reported.
Poland moved to exclude Ukrainian agricultural products including wheat, corn and rapeseed. “We do not agree with the decision of the European Commission and in the interest of Polish farmers and consumers, we are introducing national measures,” said Piotr Müller, spokesperson for the Polish government.
The Slovak government decided to ban the import of four commodities — wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds — from Ukraine, Prime Minister Ľudovít Ódor said on Friday evening.
“We have to prevent excessive pressure on the Slovak market in order to remain fair to our farmers as well. At the same time, our step is a reaction to the similar procedure of Poland and Hungary,” Ódor said.
Poland has already sent Ukraine 320 Soviet-era tanks and 14 MiG-29 fighter jets and has little more to offer.
BBC reported that Poland had previously been amongst the top donor countries providing military aid to Ukraine up to August 2023.
