This week, Europe’s support for Ukraine took an unexpected turn Poland – by far Kiev’s staunchest ally – appeared to say it would stop sending weapons to its neighbor.
Poland’s move comes after Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Warsaw for continuing to ban Ukrainian grain imports and is an example of the Polish government’s more confrontational behavior towards Kiev ahead of the election. “PiS needs village votes to stay in power,” writes Luke McGee for CNN.
Poland walked back the comments, promising to continue delivering arms. President Andrzej Duda said the Prime Minister’s words were “interpreted in the worst way”.
The dispute angered many people
This dispute raises important questions regarding European unity. However, no European official believes that there will soon be a major change in policy regarding support for Ukraine – especially from Poland.
This is all an election blah blah blah… farmers are PiS voters, a top European defense official told CNN. “Poland will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine (…). I’m sure of that,” said a NATO official. “Poland has an interest in Ukraine winning this war,” said one European Union official.
While this is just hype aimed at a domestic audience, it is hard to overstate the level of anger towards Poland — CNN notes.
A senior EU diplomat told CNN: “Ukraine has offered Poland a solution on the wheat issue. That’s why they are so angry with Poland. Just like the 24 member states who were harassed by Poland for 18 months for not doing enough to support Ukraine.” .
Gift for Putin
What impact will this have on Ukraine in the long term? The West is making great efforts to incorporate Ukraine into its institutions – the EU and NATO.
If Ukraine were to join the EU as it currently does, most of the funds currently going to member states in the form of subsidies, including for agriculture, would go to Ukraine. “Try selling it to a Polish farmer,” wrote Luke McGee.
He added that another reason why officials across Europe are so angry about this week’s events is because they are true a gift for Putin’s propaganda. A divided West is of course good for the Kremlin.
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