WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s prime minister mentioned his nation is not sending arms to Ukraine, a remark that appeared geared toward pressuring Kyiv and put Poland’s standing as a serious supply of army gear unsure as a commerce dispute between the neighboring states escalates.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki mentioned in an interview late Wednesday that Poland is not transferring weapons to Ukraine. He made the remark as his populist get together faces stress from a far-right get together in a nationwide election on Oct. 15. The far-right get together, Confederation, says Poland will not be getting the gratitude it deserves for arming Ukraine and accepting its refugees.
“We’re not transferring any weapons to Ukraine as a result of now we are going to arm ourselves with essentially the most trendy weapons,” Morawiecki mentioned in an interview on Polsat, a non-public tv broadcaster. The prime minister then spoke of a army modernization plan underway, spurred by fears of Russian aggression within the area.
A authorities spokesman, Piotr Mueller, appeared to verify Thursday that Warsaw wouldn’t comply with extra army help. He mentioned the nation was now solely offering provides of ammunition and armaments that had beforehand been agreed to, noting that “a collection of completely unacceptable statements and diplomatic gestures appeared on the Ukrainian aspect.”
Poland has provided Ukraine with a variety of weaponry, together with Leopard 2 tanks and Soviet-era MiG fighter jets.
A number one safety and protection skilled, Michal Baranowski, mentioned that Poland gave most of what it might give earlier within the struggle, and with no plans for shipments of main gear quickly he does not see a menace to Ukraine’s capabilities within the close to time period. Nonetheless, he considers the feedback as troubling for Ukraine as its seeks to keep up Western help within the struggle unleashed by Russia.
“The message may be very unhealthy, each for Poland’s fame but additionally as a result of Poland has been one of many chief advocates of army help to Ukraine. Saying Poland is not going to be sending extra weapons signifies that Poland can not play this position,” mentioned Baranowski, managing director of Warsaw-based GMF East, a part of the German Marshall Fund assume tank.
He mentioned Poland’s try to indicate toughness towards Kyiv have to be understood within the context of the election marketing campaign. In response to Morawiecki saying Poland would now give attention to modernizing its personal forces, Baranowski famous that Poland is able to each modernizing its army and persevering with to assist Ukraine.
Donald Tusk, a prime opposition chief, accused Morawiecki and different ruling authorities of a “ethical and geopolitical scandal of stabbing Ukraine within the again politically after they resolve to battle on the Ukrainian entrance, simply because it is going to be worthwhile for his or her marketing campaign.”
Feelings have been operating excessive after Poland, Hungary and Slovakia final week introduced a brand new ban on Ukrainian grain imports, saying they wished to guard their farmers from a glut of Ukrainian grain of their markets. The grain lowers costs for native farmers and hurts their livelihood. Kyiv responded with a grievance on the World Commerce Group towards the three international locations that sparked much more offended reactions from Poland.
Ukraine was lifting its grievance towards Slovakia as the 2 sides sought a decision, Slovak authorities mentioned Thursday.
On the United Nations on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy steered that the international locations opposing Ukraine on grain had been in truth engaged on Russia’s behalf. Poland urgently summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to complain on Wednesday.
Morawiecki within the Polsat interview mentioned that Poland wouldn’t take steps to threaten Ukraine’s safety.
He mentioned a NATO and U.S. hub within the Polish metropolis of Rzeszow used for transporting weapons into Ukraine wouldn’t be affected. “We aren’t going to threat the safety of Ukraine,” he mentioned.
A senior U.S. authorities official instructed reporters in Brussels on Thursday that the U.S. doesn’t view Morawiecki’s statements as an indication of Western unity cracking and expects to see continued management from Poland within the effort to assist Ukraine.
The official famous that “every nation that’s contributing to Ukraine has its personal home politics and that’s only a actuality. A few of these international locations are in the course of election cycles, so that they’re additionally in the course of messaging their publics.”
The official requested anonymity to temporary reporters frankly on the delicate growth.
The German International Ministry mentioned Thursday that “we’ve taken word of the assertion from the Polish aspect.”
The ministry added that “Ukraine continues to want our full help. It is crucial that we in Europe act decisively and in solidarity on this regard. Germany will help Ukraine humanitarianly, politically, economically and with weapons for so long as it wants us.”
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Lorne Cook dinner in Brussels, Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin and Karel Janicek in Prague contributed.