A dispute which stems from Poland’s import ban on Ukrainian grain has resulted in a tit-for-tat of blows between the two allies and the calling in of ambassadors for diplomatic talks.
Import halts were imposed across much of Eastern Europe in the spring as low prices and logistical problems placed undue pressure on domestic producers. Poland, which has been one of Ukraine’s most staunch supporters in its fight against Russia, did not impose the measures lightly and has remained in talks with Kyiv officials.
But the mood is now beginning to sway. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal late last month branded Warsaw’s extension of a ban on Ukrainian grain exports to the EU as “unfriendly” and “populist.”
Poland’s international policy bureau head Marcin Przydacz did not just take that blow, jibing that Kyiv should “start appreciating the role Poland has played for Ukraine in recent months and years.” An exchange of blows has followed, as well as a note of frustration from within Poland itself about the country being beaten “like a drum.”
Ukraine was quick to dismiss the jibe as “baseless,” though was clearly struck, having called in ambassadors for diplomatic talks. Poland returned the favour, while Volodymyr Zelensky attempted to prevent any “crack[s]” in relations, which he suggested would work only to bolster Vladimir Putin.
On his nation’s ambassadors being called in for a dressing-down, Polish journalist Łukasz Warzecha lamented that “I see our relationship has entered a new phase. And of course, it is the Ukrainians who call the Polish ambassador, while we had several reasons to call the Ukrainian one, but we always put our ears down. I don’t know if there is a more sucker country in the world than Poland.” Another, Maciej Pieczyński, added that “Ukrainians are beating Poland like a drum, because they see that they can, that there will be no answer. Weakness makes you bold. And yet Warsaw has so many instruments to discipline Kiev …”
If the row manages to die down before September, it will likely reemerge at this time, when it is likely that Poland will work for further extensions to current bans, against which Ukraine has lobbied.
