2023-09-22 08:48:06
The world is worried regarding how Poland’s move to save its own farmers will affect the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine faced the decision of Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to ban the import of grains from Ukraine by complaining to the World Trade Organization (WTO). But Poland responded to this move by Ukraine by saying that it will no longer send weapons to that country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who described Poland as a sister, saying that we will always remember the services rendered by Poland and that friendship will last forever, now accuses Poland of playing drama. Recent opinion polls have shown that there has been no significant decrease in the number of Poles who are ready to accept refugees and want to continue helping Ukraine. But what is Poland doing to Ukraine? When the Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24, 2022 marks one year and seven months, it is estimated that the position taken by Poland may change the course of the war itself.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)
∙ Weapons arrive via Poland
When Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland was the first to help by providing weapons. Weapons of other countries still reach Ukraine through Poland. It is in this context that the interview of Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki that he will not transfer weapons to Ukraine is coming out late on Wednesday. The ruling party is facing a big crisis as it faces elections on October 15. They feel that despite handing over weapons to Ukraine and sheltering refugees from there, the country is not grateful. Morawiewski added that Poland’s weapons are being modernized and so on. He expressed concern over Russian invasion of the region, but declined to elaborate.
The spokesperson of the government informed that the previously agreed arms deal will be carried out and other arms will not be provided. The spokesperson clarified that there were completely unacceptable statements and diplomatic interventions from the side of Ukraine. Even when the two countries came to participate in the General Assembly of the United Nations, there was friction between the two countries. Polish President Andrzej Duda has described Ukraine as a drowning man clinging to anything he can get.
Poland has supplied Ukraine with various types of weapons, including the Leopard 2 tank and Soviet-era MiG fighter jets. Poland provided military aid to Ukraine at the beginning of the war. But now it is estimated that the aid of other countries will not be prevented from reaching Ukraine through Poland. Poles still support Ukraine fearing that if Russia conquers Ukraine, that threat will increase. But the increasing number of refugees also affects the Polish population. Moreover, Ukraine has managed to acquire only a small advantage once morest Russia, despite having so many weapons and so on. In addition, Kiev’s leaders are demanding more advanced weapons, including long-range missiles. The international media has assessed that Poland’s arsenal has decreased following giving weapons to Ukraine.
When ships carrying grain from Ukraine reached the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, Turkey. Image dated August 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati/IANS)
∙ Ukraine grain banned in Poland
The reason for the current crisis is Russia’s withdrawal from an agreement to provide protection for grain exports through the Black Sea. With this, Ukraine had to export grains by land to various countries in Europe. In May, the European Union banned grain imports to countries such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The European Union justified the ban by pointing out that the arrival of grain to these countries would affect local farmers and lower the price of grain in the downstream market. But grain was allowed to be transported by land to other places through these countries.
But last Friday, the European Union announced that it was ending the ban on imports. It was pointed out that the ‘disorder in the market’ has disappeared. Poland, Hungary and Slovakia immediately came out once morest the move. The decision of Poland and other countries is once morest the EU’s ‘single market’ law. The move was criticized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a speech to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. Ukraine also threatened to ban agricultural imports from Poland. He responded that these countries are acting in Russia’s interest and that Europe is playing in our favor in the political drama but profiting from grain. With this, Poland summoned the ambassador of Ukraine to protest and warned that there will be retaliatory measures.
Morawiewski also stated that if Ukraine allows the conflict to get out of control, it will also impose a ban on other goods imported into Poland. He added that Ukraine would not understand how fragmented Poland’s agricultural industry was and would protect Polish farmers. In response, Ukraine filed a complaint with the WTO. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said that they should talk without sentimentality and that Ukraine is giving an opportunity to resolve the grain issue.
The family escaped from Ukraine and came to Poland. Image dated February 26, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo/IANS)
∙ Election strategy?
The prolongation of the war has affected Poland as it has affected the rest of the world. All these issues make it difficult for the ruling Law and Justice Party as the elections are around the corner. Support for the opposition, which is calling for cuts in aid to Ukraine, is also putting pressure on the government. Law and Justice, a pro-farmer party, is concerned that if grain imports from Ukraine are allowed, it will affect grain exports from the country. Morawiecki says that Poland was the first to support Ukraine during the crisis and we hope they understand our interests. He clarifies that the interest of our farmers is most important along with acknowledging their problems.
At the same time, Donald Tusk, the leader of the opposition in Poland and the former president of the European Union, believes that the Law and Justice Party is stabbing Ukraine from behind for the sake of the election. However, reports have surfaced that supporters of the opposition Confederation Party have doubts regarding whether to help Ukraine so much. Confederation Party leader Sławomir Menson says that Ukraine is waging a trade war following taking all the benefits of influencing the Polish government. It is estimated that the ruling party has taken this stand due to the fear that if the farmers are abandoned, those votes will also go to the opposition. As things got out of hand, a meeting between Zelensky and Duda in New York was cancelled.
After Russia’s attack on Kiev. Image dated 24 February 2022. (Photo: IANS/Twitter)
English Summary: Poland’s Weapons Stance: A Game-Changer in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict?
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