Poland said it would not immediately stop providing weapons to Ukraine, but would continue to implement previously agreed agreements.
"Poland will deliver weapons and ammunition in accordance with previously agreed agreements, including contracts signed with Ukraine," Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller said today.
The Polish government's announcement came a day after Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he would stop providing arms to Ukraine to focus on building its defense, amid escalating tensions between the two countries over agricultural exports.
Commenting on Prime Minister Morawiecki's statement, Polish Minister of State Assets Jacek Sasin said that the grain tensions did not mean that Poland would stop supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, but that Warsaw needed to replenish its weapons stockpiles.
"Poland's interests must come first. We cannot disarm the Polish army, nor can we remove the weapons necessary for our security," said Mr. Sasin.
Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller. Photo: PAP
Müller's statement suggests that Poland will not immediately cut off the flow of arms to Ukraine. Minister Sasin also said that the country had tried to support the transfer of arms to Ukraine, "so we have nothing to reproach ourselves with."
Poland has been one of Kiev's staunchest supporters since Russia launched its war in Ukraine in late February 2022 and is one of its main arms suppliers to its neighbor. Poland has supplied Ukraine with T-72 tanks, armored vehicles, artillery and other weapons.
In addition to supplying weapons from its own stockpiles, Poland is also an important transit country for weapons shipments sent to Ukraine by the United States and its Western allies. Poland has also hosted about a million Ukrainian refugees.
Relations between Warsaw and Kiev have been strained since Poland unilaterally imposed a ban on Ukrainian grain imports last week, despite the European Commission announcing an end to the ban imposed in May. Hungary and Slovakia also protested the European Commission's decision.
The EU imposed a ban on Ukrainian agricultural exports to five neighboring countries in May to protect local farmers, including Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. Under the ban, four Ukrainian agricultural exports – wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds – are allowed to pass through neighboring countries only when they are sold elsewhere.
The grain issue is particularly sensitive in Poland, which is preparing for a general election next month. The ruling Law and Justice party enjoys strong support among rural voters.
“We are the first to do a lot for Ukraine and that is why we expect them to understand our interests,” Morawiecki said on September 20. “Of course we respect all their problems, but for us the interests of farmers are the most important.”
Ukraine's Trade Representative Taras Kachka said on September 18 that Poland's measures would significantly affect Ukrainian exports. Kiev said it would file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"Putting pressure on Poland in multilateral forums or filing a complaint in an international court are not appropriate measures to resolve disagreements between the two countries," the Polish Foreign Ministry warned.
Thanh Tam (According to AFP, Reuters )
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