The grain dispute between Poland and Ukraine, seen as close allies since the invasion, has become so bitter that Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, despite earlier encouraging news, announced on Wednesday that Poland would stop supplying weapons to Ukraine. Morawiecki said that instead of arming Ukraine, he would focus on defending his country in the future.
Poland summoned Ukraine’s ambassador on Tuesday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the United Nations that some countries demonstrated solidarity with Ukraine.
The grain dispute began after a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine almost completely shut down major Black Sea shipping routes, forcing Ukraine to seek alternative land routes, only to see large amounts of grain flow into central Europe.
As a result, the European Union temporarily banned grain imports to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to protect local farmers who feared Ukrainian grain would lead to lower domestic prices. The ban ended on September 15, and the European Union decided not to extend it, but Hungary, Slovakia and Poland decided on their own not to continue allowing Ukrainian grain into the country.
Earlier this week, Ukraine filed a claim with the World Trade Organization against the countries concerned over the ban, which it says violates international obligations. Poland responded that it would maintain the ban and that “a complaint before the WTO does not affect us.”
Morawiecki also said on Wednesday that they would increase the number of banned products coming from Kiev if Ukraine escalates the grain dispute. According to the Poles, Ukraine is inappropriately trying to resolve disputes by filing complaints with international courts.
French Foreign Minister Katerina Colonna said on Wednesday that a European Union study had found that Ukrainian grain imports would not cripple European farmers, and described the tension as “regrettable.”
Poland gave Ukraine much support in its defense against Russia, urged Germany to supply the country with Leopard 2 tanks, promised the country fighter jets, and took in more than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine. (BBC)
