Lech Wałęsa and Polish dissidents blast Trump for Zelenskyy treatment in Oval Office
Former Polish president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Wałęsa (Source: GettyImages)
Former Polish president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Wałęsa has signed an open letter criticizing Donald Trump’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their recent White House meeting, The Guardian reports.
Wałęsa, along with over 30 former Polish political prisoners, expressed “horror and distaste” at Trump’s demands for gratitude from Zelenskyy, comparing the encounter to oppressive communist interrogations.
“This reminded us of interrogations by the secret police”
The letter, co-signed by prominent figures from Poland’s anti-communist resistance, condemned Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance for pressuring Zelenskyy to express more gratitude for US support. “The atmosphere in the Oval Office reminded us of that which we remember well from interrogations,” the signatories wrote, drawing a parallel between Trump’s behavior and the methods used by Poland’s former authoritarian regime.
They likened Trump’s stance to that of communist-era prosecutors, who wielded absolute power over political prisoners. “The prosecutors and the judges, working on behalf of the omnipotent Communist Party police, also told us that they held all the cards, and we held none,” the letter stated. “We are shocked that you treated Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the same way.”
Wałęsa’s legacy and the broader political impact
Lech Wałęsa, a key figure in Poland’s democratic transition, led the Solidarity movement that helped dismantle Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. As Poland’s first democratically elected president (1990–1995), his voice carries weight in international affairs. Other notable signatories of the letter include Adam Michnik, Bogdan Lis, and Władysław Frasyniuk - figures who played major roles in Poland’s fight against communism.
The letter comes at a time when Ukraine continues to fight for its sovereignty amid ongoing Russian aggression. European leaders have reaffirmed their unwavering support for Kyiv, making it clear that Ukraine is not alone in this struggle.
