(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to Twitter in an attempt to calm diplomatic tensions between his country and Poland, following scorching criticism from Poland aimed at Ukraine, including calls for Ukraine to be more grateful.
The spat between the two nations originated from a recent ban on Ukrainian agricultural exports to Poland, which has intensified a longstanding dispute between the two neighboring nations.
Polish Secretary of State Marcin Przydacz took a direct jab at Ukraine during a now-viral interview in Poland. “[Ukraine] start appreciating the role Poland has played for Ukraine in recent months and years,” Przydacz said.
As reported by Politico, the Polish Secretary of State added, “Ukraine should start appreciating what Poland is doing for it.”
The ban on Ukrainian agricultural exports was enacted as Poland perceives it as a threat to their local farmers’ livelihoods.
In response, Andrii Sybiha, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, rejected Poland’s assertions.
“We categorically reject the attempts by some Polish politicians to impose on Polish society the baseless idea that Ukraine does not appreciate the help from Poland,” Sybiha claimed.
He further emphasized, “It is Ukrainians who are protecting the values and security of our region, and they also do it in the interests of Poland and the entire free world.”
The heated exchange led both countries to summon each other’s ambassadors, heightening the tension further, the European edition of Politico reported.
Zelenskyy issued a lengthy Twitter statement attempting to mitigate the growing conflict. He acknowledged Poland’s historical support and referred to their collective efforts as a “shield of Europe from sea to sea.”
“We greatly appreciate the historical support of Poland, which together with us has become a real shield of Europe from sea to sea. And there cannot be a single crack in this shield,” Zelenskyy asserted on Tuesday.
The nations of Europe know that the freedom of each individual is strongest when it is the common freedom of all. In Europe, we know how to unite and defend our values side by side, regardless of any seasons and moods, political trends, or personal ambitions. But now we see…
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 1, 2023
“We will not allow any political instances to spoil the relations between the Ukrainian and Polish peoples, and emotions should definitely cool down,” the president added, signaling the need for a resolution in the ongoing dispute.
Politico reported that Poland has been a significant supporter of Ukraine since the Russian invasion in 2022. However, despite this historical backing, the recent trade dispute has exposed underlying tensions between the two countries, challenging the solidarity they once shared.
