Polish President Backs Ukraine but Presses Kyiv

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has reaffirmed his support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, while sending a strong message to Kyiv over historical disputes, according to Ukrainska Pravda.

In a speech marking the first anniversary of his presidency, Nawrocki said it was in Poland’s strategic interest for Ukraine and its military to fight Russia as effectively as possible and keep it as far from Poland as possible. Ukraine could therefore continue to count on Warsaw’s support, he said.

He also rejected the display in Poland of Banderite flags, the red-and-black flags associated with Stepan Bandera’s Ukrainian nationalist movement. Nawrocki stressed that support for Kyiv did not preclude Poland from pursuing its own demands. He said the two countries could cooperate as partners while seeking common ground on contentious issues.

The president summed up his approach with the slogan “Poland first, Poles first”.

The comments came amid continuing historical disputes between Warsaw and Kyiv and after the head of Nawrocki’s chancellery called for Zelensky to be formally stripped of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state honor.

(mja)