In escalating grain row, top Polish diplomat blasts Kyiv's position as ‘offensive, harming’ relations

Ukrainian politicians’ comparisons between Poland and Russia are "extremely offensive" to Polish society, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said in a Twitter post on Sept. 21, commenting on the recent dispute between Ukraine and Poland over grain exports.

Such comments are leading to a "deep rethinking of Polish conscience" about Ukraine and Ukrainians, both collectively and individually, Rau claimed.

Read also: No trade war with Ukraine, Poland says

"In the same homes where we spontaneously accepted Ukrainian refugees, at the tables where we listened to stories about their fate, today we wonder how it is possible to mention Poles and Russians who offend Ukrainians in the same (sentence)," Rau wrote.

He said that Poland, like Ukraine, had been a victim of Russian imperialism for centuries, and the Polish people were subjected to rape, robbery, deportation, and execution in 1939, just as the Ukrainian people are in 2022.

Rau said that the Polish government's assistance to Ukraine "was made possible by the compassion and sympathy for Ukraine of almost every Polish family." He said that Ukraine's current policy is "not only harmful and painful for Poland, but above all offensive."

Read also: Poland’s U-Turn on weapon supplies to Ukraine sparks diplomatic stir

The Polish foreign minister said that his country believes in Ukraine's victory and will not stand aside, adding that he "will not allow relations with Poland to be traded in the name of private wealth and foreign interests hostile to Poland and Ukraine."

"It will take a titanic amount of work to restore the trust of Polish society in the goodwill of the Ukrainian authorities," Rau said.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a speech at the UN General Assembly that it was “disturbing to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, are undermining solidarity with political theater, making a thriller out of grain. They may seem to be playing their own role, but in fact, they are helping to set the stage for the Moscow actor."

Later, Polish government spokesman Piotr Müller responded by saying he hoped that this statement was "not addressed to Poland." He stressed that his country provides military assistance to Ukraine, but must defend its interests in economic and agricultural issues.

After that, the Polish Foreign Ministry "urgently" summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych, expressing to him "strong protests" and relaying that Zelenskyy's words were "wrong in relation to Poland, and especially (wrong) in relation to a country that has supported Ukraine since the first days of the war."

These statements were made amid tensions that arose over Poland's, as well as Hungary's and Slovakia's, ban on Ukrainian grain imports, which the countries decided to impose despite the European Commission's decision not to extend an EU grain embargo – provided that Ukraine complies with certain rules, including export control measures.

Read also: Ukraine, Poland commit to resolving grain trade row through dialogue – Agriculture Ministry

Ukraine’s Economy Ministry reported that Kyiv has filed lawsuits against these three countries with the World Trade Organization.

The Ukrainian government has offered the EU and neighboring countries a compromise arrangement.

Meanwhile, Deputy Ukrainian Economy Minister Taras Kachka warned Warsaw that Ukraine might impose an embargo on tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and apples from Poland if the countries do not reach an agreement.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki replied that his country would extend the ban on imports of Ukrainian products if Ukraine "escalates the conflict."

Eventually, after a conversation between the Ministers of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and Poland, the countries agreed to find a common solution to the grain dispute.

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine