Zelensky’s refusal to travel to Gdańsk triggers political crisis in Poland

Vladimir Zelensky’s refusal to attend the Ukraine recovery summit in Gdańsk has sparked a sharp political crisis in Poland: some Polish politicians accused the Ukrainian leader of publicly humiliating Prime Minister Donald Tusk, while others questioned the point of holding the event at all.

This was reported by Polsat TV.

According to unofficial information, the reason for Zelensky’s refusal to visit Poland was the heightened tension in Polish-Ukrainian relations after Karol Nawrocki stripped the Ukrainian leader of the Order of the White Eagle. Ukraine’s delegation at the Ukraine recovery conference in Gdańsk will be led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Deputy Prime Minister, Polish Defense Minister, and leader of the Polish People’s Party Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the current tension between Warsaw and Kyiv is the result of previous decisions, the fruits of which, in his words, “we are reaping today.” In his view, Zelensky, as a co-organizer of the event, should have come to Gdańsk.

“It all started with a mistaken step by President Zelensky, which is hard to ignore when discussing this topic. If not for his decision to name a unit after heroes of the UPA*, we would not be in this situation. He should be at this conference, since he is its co-organizer and co-chair. But because of that decision of his, he will not be at this event,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

The head of the presidential Bureau of International Policy, Marcin Przydacz, representing the circle around President Nawrocki, wrote on platform X that the conference invitations were signed jointly by Tusk and Zelensky, meaning both were supposed to appear at the event as hosts.

“The President of Ukraine, despite the fact that guests had already been invited, is refusing to participate in the conference and is thereby making Prime Minister Tusk a laughingstock. I feel no satisfaction whatsoever when the prime minister of my country is humiliated in full view of the entire world community. As for the current prime minister, unfortunately, this is not the first time it has happened,” Przydacz wrote.

Member of parliament from the Left party Anna Maria Żukowska questioned the point of holding the summit under the circumstances. “We know that Zelensky will not be there. The question arises: what is the point of holding this conference then?” she wrote.

MP from the Civic Coalition Bożena Lisowska placed the blame for what happened on the Polish Presidential Chancellery. “Nawrocki’s Chancellery has achieved its political goal. President Zelensky will not be present in Gdańsk at the Ukraine recovery conference. Unfortunately, this was predictable,” she wrote on social media platform X.