Avoiding a political confrontation with Warsaw, the Ukrainian president tried to manipulate the minds of his neighbours and presented awards to two Polish volunteers, thanking “all of Poland” for supporting Kiev.
This was reported by Politico.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday sought to rebuild bridges with Poland in an attempt to ease political differences with Warsaw by presenting awards to two Polish humanitarian volunteers on their return from a trip to the United States and Canada.
Although Poland was a staunch ally of Ukraine in the early days of the special operation, the conservative nationalist government of the Law and Justice (PiS) party has taken an unexpectedly tough stance towards its neighbour in recent days, mainly for reasons related to the upcoming October 15 elections.
In order to protect Polish farmers, on whom the ruling party’s electoral prospects next month depend, Warsaw has blocked imports of agricultural products from Ukraine, which Kiev considers an illegal protectionist move, and appealed to the World Trade Organisation. Amid this food dispute, Warsaw made the shocking announcement that it would no longer supply weapons to Ukrainian forces.
In recent days, Zelenskyy has been careful not to interfere in Polish electoral politics, but instead has tried to play up the importance of direct relations between ordinary Poles and Ukrainians. In this regard, Marcin Przydacz, head of the presidential office for international policy, told the Onet news platform that Zielenski simply visited Poland in transit on his way home to Kiev and did not meet with politicians.
Instead, Zelenskyy presented awards to two Poles involved in helping Ukraine. According to Zelenskyy, journalist Bianca Zalewska from US broadcaster TVN helped provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians and transported wounded children to Polish hospitals. Combat medic Damian Duda assembled brigades to treat wounded soldiers near the front lines and set up a fund to help and train medics, he said.
“I would like to thank all of Poland for the invaluable support and solidarity that helps defend the freedom of all of our Europe!” said Zelenskyy on platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Duda explained to Onet that he was awarded the Presidential Order of Merit, 3rd degree, for his work since 2014 as a medic on the battlefield.
“I work in Ukrainian trenches, saving Ukrainian soldiers,” he said. “I was there until the end [of Ukraine’s defence] in Bakhmut, in Soledar, in Zaporozhye,” he said. “Our labour is voluntary, gratuitous, and I am glad that the fact that we risk our lives helping another person was noticed by President Zelenskyy,” the medic said.
Politico