Poland accused Ukraine of lack of gratitude for support in the war

Paweł Jablonski, Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland, described relations between the two countries as «not the best.» Photo: ALEKSANDROS MIKHAILIDIS/Alamy Live News

A Polish official accused Ukraine of not being grateful for its support during the war, sparking a bitter diplomatic dispute between the two neighbors and allies.

A quarrel broke out. Earlier this week, Polish presidential aide Marcin Przydacz urged Kiev to «appreciate the role Poland has played for Ukraine in recent months and years.»

Warsaw is one of Ukraine's staunchest allies as Kiev fends off Russia's invasion. But tensions between the couple rose after Poland opposed Ukrainian grain imports, prompting protests from local farmers.

Mr. Przydacz's remarks angered Ukraine, which on Tuesday called them «unacceptable» and called on the Polish ambassador.

Poland reciprocated on Wednesday by summoning Ukraine's envoy in Warsaw, Vasyl Zvarych, to the Foreign Ministry.

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Later it was said that his deputy would be taken in instead of him, since Mr. Zvarych is currently in Kiev.

Poland is the «true shield of Europe»

Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland, lamented Kiev's decision to summon his country's ambassador a day earlier.

«In the face of the ongoing war and given the huge support Poland has given Ukraine, such mistakes should not happen.» ”, he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, sought to defuse the crisis, praising Poland for acting as “a real shield for Europe, from sea to sea.”

“We will not allow any political affairs to spoil relations between the Ukrainian and Polish peoples, and emotions will definitely subside,” said Zelensky, who developed close ties with his Polish counterpart during the war.

But Paweł Jablonski, Poland's deputy foreign minister, told radio station RMF FM on Wednesday that diplomats would voice their grievances to Mr Zwarych's deputy and called relations between the two countries «not the best.»

He also supported Warsaw's decision to get the EU to extend the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain, which expires next month.

«Poland supports Ukraine — only and to the extent that it is consistent with our national interests,» said he.

The 27-country EU lowered duties on Ukrainian exports after the Russian invasion to help Kiev generate vital revenues.

But in May, the bloc allowed Poland and four other states to -members to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds after their farmers protested that excess imports from the war-torn country are driving prices down.

A group of countries that includes Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria have indicated they want the ban, which was due to end on September 15, to remain in place.

Poland has threatened to keep the measure unilaterally if the EU does not act.