Russia

Poland to Stop Supplying Ukraine with Weapons Amid Grain Row

SEP 21 2023·Updated AUG 27

Story

Image credit: Ukraine's Presidential Press Office [via Wikimedia Commons]

The Facts

Poland, one of Ukraine's closest allies in its war with Russia, said it will no longer provide Kyiv with weapons amid an escalating dispute over Ukrainian grain exports.
BBC News
"We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday stating further, "If you don't want to be on the defensive, you have to have something to defend yourself with." He insisted, however, that the move would not endanger Ukraine.
Politico
The remarks came after the European Commission last week lifted restrictions on the export of Ukrainian grain to five EU countries including Poland — prompting Poland, and some others, to reintroduce national bans in apparent violation of EU laws. The countries argued that an influx of Ukrainian grain has hurt local farmers.
Politico
Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy took issue with the move, stating in his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday: "It’s alarming to see how some in Europe play out solidarity in a political theatre — making a thriller from the grain. They may seem to play their own role but in fact they are helping set the stage to a Moscow actor."
guardian
The comments sparked an angry response from Poland, which summoned the Ukrainian ambassador and warned of further retaliation. Morawiecki later said: "We were the first to do a lot for Ukraine and that’s why we expect for them to understand our interests. Of course we respect all of their problems, but for us, the interests of our farmers are the most important thing."
guardian
On Thursday, Mykola Solskyi, Ukraine's agriculture minister, said that he has held talks with Polish counterpart Robert Telus and said the pair agreed to find a solution that takes into account the interests of both countries. The next round of talks is set to take place in the coming days.
Ukrinform

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

Despite this bump in otherwise strong relations, Poland remains one of Ukraine's strongest allies. Representatives of both countries have met and have had a fruitful meeting in which both sides agreed to consider each other's concerns in order to find a viable solution.

Ukrainska Pravda

Narrative B

Ukraine made unacceptable comments about Poland on the public stage despite all that the country has done for it. Poland will fulfill existing weapons contracts, but going forward, it will prioritize its own security so there will be no new weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

TVP World