On Tuesday, Ukraine and Poland summoned each other's ambassadors amid a dispute that emerged after Polish presidential foreign policy advisor, Marcin Przydacz, stated that Kyiv should show more appreciation for Warsaw's support in its war with Russia.
Przydacz indicated that the Polish government should defend the interests of local farmers, referring to the ban on importing Ukrainian raw products set to expire next month. Polish media reported his comments emphasizing that "the most important thing today is to defend the interest of the Polish farmer." He also mentioned, "I believe it will be important for Kyiv to start appreciating the role Poland has played for Ukraine over the past months and years."
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko noted that during the meeting with the Polish ambassador, it was communicated that statements regarding Ukraine's alleged ungratefulness towards Poland's assistance were "incorrect and unacceptable."
A Ukrainian statement highlighted: "We are convinced that Ukrainian-Polish friendship is much deeper than political expediency. Politics should not raise doubts about mutual understanding and the strength of relations between our peoples."
In response to comments made by Ukrainian authorities, Poland also summoned the Ukrainian ambassador in Warsaw. The European Union had previously allowed Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia to ban the local sales of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds.
Following the Russian invasion, significant amounts of cheaper Ukrainian grain, which is less expensive than that produced in the EU, ended up in Central European countries due to logistical bottlenecks, negatively impacting local farmers' prices and sales.
The five countries want to extend the ban on grain imports at least until the end of the year. The current ban is set to expire on September 15. Earlier this month, the Polish Prime Minister stated he would not lift the ban on September 15, even if the European Union does not agree to extend it.
Kyiv described the Polish decision as "unfriendly" and urged Ukraine's partners and the European Commission to ensure the unhindered export of all Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU.
