Zelenskyy responds to Polish presidential candidate's anti-Ukraine remarks
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed comments by Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki, who stated he does not see Ukraine as part of NATO or the EU. Such a stance could leave Poland defending itself against Russia with weapons in hand, said Zelenskyy in his interview with Polish media.
Last week, the opposition politician said that Ukraine could not take responsibility for the Volhynia tragedy and therefore could not be part of any alliances.
Zelenskyy replied that if Ukraine is neither in the EU nor in NATO, Nawrocki should “start training.”
"Because it may turn out that he will have to take up arms to defend his country alongside his fellow citizens. If Ukraine is not in any alliances, the risk of war in Poland will be very high. Right after Ukraine, Russia will be on Poland’s border, and then Mr. Nawrocki will have no political competition but will be fighting for his life," the President noted.
Nawrocki is supported by the former ruling party, Law and Justice.
Reactions to Nawrocki's remarks
In response to Nawrocki’s comments, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the leader of the ruling PiS party, Jarosław Kaczyński.
"Your candidate, Karol Nawrocki, stated that he does not see a place for Ukraine in NATO.Do you still remember which president supported Ukraine the most in this matter? And which one is the most opposed? Aren't you ashamed?" Tusk said.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Nawrocki's statement unacceptable, as it plays into Russia's hands in its attempts to destroy both countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Nawrocki's remarks had been met with applause in the Kremlin. They also reminded that it is Russia that has been trying for centuries to destroy both Ukrainian and Polish states.
It should be noted that in recent times, there has been a positive shift in the complex historical relationship between Ukraine and Poland. In particular, it became known that work on the exhumation of the victims of the Volhynia tragedy will begin in the spring.
