PM Tusk Warns Poland-Ukraine Dispute Is 'Strategic Mistake'
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on June 21 that the escalating conflict between Polish and Ukrainian presidents will harm both nations. He is working to minimize diplomatic and economic damage as the Ukraine Recovery Conference hangs in balance.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned on Sunday, June 21, that the escalating dispute between Poland's President Karol Nawrocki and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a "strategic mistake that will cost both sides: in business, geopolitically, and reputationally."
Diplomatic Crisis Deepens
The warning comes after Nawrocki revoked Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle over a dispute about Ukrainian historical memory and the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army). Zelenskyy responded by mailing the honour back to Nawrocki via post, pointedly noting that Poland had not withdrawn the same award from Benito Mussolini, Catherine the Great, or Gerhard Schröder.
Tusk wrote on social media that "wading into a conflict by politicians in Poland and Ukraine is a strategic mistake." He added: "In conversations with my European partners, I am trying to minimise the losses and reduce the tension. It is not an easy task."
Conference at Risk
There remains uncertainty whether Zelenskyy will attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) this week in Gdańsk, which Ukraine is co-hosting with Poland. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on June 20 that the ministry would "submit a report to the president regarding preparations for the conference, the impact of individual decisions, and the format for its implementation," after which Zelenskyy would decide whether to attend.
Polish companies had hoped the conference would be a vehicle for winning reconstruction contracts. That now looks much harder.
For foreigners: If you're involved in Polish-Ukrainian business, reconstruction projects, or cross-border cooperation, monitor this dispute closely. Diplomatic tensions could delay contracts, complicate border crossings, and introduce political risk into bilateral agreements. The dispute may also affect Ukraine's EU accession timeline, as Poland could block progress until historical issues are resolved.
Sources
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