Duda takes unexpected jab at Ukraine and allies in latest speech
Photo: Polish President Andrzej Duda (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
In his final interview as president, Polish leader Andrzej Duda unexpectedly lashed out at Ukraine, claiming that Kyiv does not appreciate Poland’s support. He also criticized Poland’s NATO allies, saying they do not show Warsaw the respect it deserves, according to an interview Duda gave to several Polish outlets, excerpts of which were published by Polsat News.
According to the interview, Duda argued that Poland could have taken steps to show that it should not be ignored, especially given the scale of support it has provided Ukraine, but chose not to.
He was particularly critical of the way Ukraine and NATO allies perceive Poland’s role in supplying aid to Ukraine through Polish territory.
"For example, I think both Ukrainians and our allies just assume that the airport in Rzeszów and our highways belong to them, like it’s theirs. But it’s not. It’s ours," he said.
Duda added that Ukraine and European countries "need to come to terms with that fact." Otherwise, he warned, "we’ll just shut it down, goodbye," referring to the possibility of closing aid transport routes through Poland.
"We’ll say we’re doing renovations, close the Rzeszów airport, and let them figure it out, send supplies by sea, air, I don’t know, parachute them in. Be creative. Be creative if you think you don’t need us," Duda said.
Snub that left its mark
Duda admitted he was offended that Poland was left out of what he called "significant international decision-making bodies" involved in coordinating aid deliveries via Polish territory. While he didn’t specify which bodies, he described the exclusion as "a scandal."
In what appears to be a retaliatory move, Duda said he blocked the conclusions of the NATO summit in Vilnius in 2023, an action that, by his admission, primarily hurt Ukraine. Still, he insisted that addressing the issue with Ukraine is pointless: "There’s no point discussing it with Ukraine. It needs to be addressed with our allies. We need the courage to talk to the Germans, the Americans."
Notably, Duda made these comments just days after his farewell visit to Kyiv on June 28, where he was awarded the Order of Freedom by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Ukraine’s Constitution Day.
Despite the symbolic show of unity, Duda signed a controversial law on July 2 regarding the Volyn tragedy, a move widely seen as damaging to Polish-Ukrainian relations.
Duda has served as Poland’s president since 2015 and is completing his second and final term. He will be succeeded by Karol Nawrocki, who is expected to take office on August 6.
