Poland has supported Ukraine since the first days of the war, diplomat SPENCER PLATT/Getty Images via AFP September 20, 2023
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday (20) that his country would no longer supply weapons to Ukraine after the government “urgently” summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to protest against President Volodmir Zelensky’s comments at the United Nations .
On Tuesday (19), the Ukrainian leader said that “some countries pretend to be in solidarity.” [para com a Ucrânia]but indirectly support Russia.”
“We are not supplying weapons to Ukraine, but are now equipping Poland with the most modern weapons,” Morawiecki replied to a journalist’s question about whether Poland would provide military and humanitarian support to Ukraine despite the grain conflict.
The Prime Minister did not reveal when Poland, one of the most important arms suppliers to Ukraine, stopped supplying weapons or whether this was related to the grain conflict or Zelensky’s speeches at the United Nations.
“We are mainly focusing on modernizing and rapidly arming the Polish army so that it becomes one of the most powerful land armies in Europe in the shortest possible time,” he explained.
He also said that the military center in the city of Rzeszow (southeast), where Western material passes for Ukraine, is functioning normally.
Before the announcement, Poland had “urgently” summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to protest Zelensky’s comments at the United Nations.
Guardians of the Peace? Check out how the UN Security Council works in 7 points
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The UN Security Council consists of five permanent members: the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China. This composition was determined at the founding of the United Nations these countries emerged victorious from the Second World War and were the main military powers at that time. About 80 years ago, China did not have the military power it does today, but was admitted to the council because of the size of its territory
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The Polish Deputy Foreign Minister, who received the Ukrainian diplomat, denounced a “false (…) and especially unjustifiable thesis against Poland, which has supported Ukraine since the first days of the war,” said the statement from the ministry.
Tension over grain
The tensions between Warsaw and Kiev stem from a conflict over trade in Ukrainian grain, the import of which has been banned in Poland to protect the interests of its farmers. The dispute has become more tense in recent days.
On Friday (15), the European Union announced that it had lifted the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain adopted in May by five states of the Union (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania) due to the distortions they caused in their local markets. .
Poland and Hungary challenged the decision and imposed unilateral embargoes, to which Kiev responded by announcing a future appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Morawiecki warned that he would expand the list of banned Ukrainian products if Kiev escalates the conflict over grain. Ukrainian diplomats called on Poland to “put aside emotions” and take a “constructive” approach to the dispute.