WARSAW, Poland — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw on Friday, marking their first official encounter since Nawrocki’s inauguration four months prior. The strategically timed diplomatic engagement seeks to reinforce bilateral cooperation between the two nations as Poland faces potential political transitions.
The meeting holds profound significance given the deeply interconnected security interests that have defined Polish-Ukrainian relations since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Poland relies on Ukraine as a critical buffer against Russian expansionism, while Ukraine depends on Polish corridors for military assistance and humanitarian support. Furthermore, Poland is positioned to play an indispensable role in facilitating Western security guarantees for Ukraine should peace negotiations materialize.
Although Poland’s current government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk remains a steadfast advocate for Ukraine, upcoming presidential elections in 2027 could see the return of the nationalist Law and Justice party. Nawrocki, who ascended to the presidency with their backing, has adopted a more assertive diplomatic stance, emphasizing national interests and demanding reciprocal gestures from Kyiv.
In remarks reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Nawrocki recently stated that he expects Zelenskyy to ‘express gratitude’ for Poland’s extensive military and humanitarian contributions. He has also criticized Ukraine’s delayed permission for exhumations of Polish victims from World War II-era mass graves in Volhynia—a longstanding point of contention between the nations.
Despite a January agreement that permitted initial exhumations, uncovering remains of at least 42 individuals, Nawrocki continues to press for additional concessions. Historical tensions from the Volhynia massacres, where tens of thousands of Poles were killed amid interethnic violence, remain a sensitive issue in bilateral relations.
As both leaders navigate complex historical legacies and contemporary geopolitical imperatives, Zelenskyy’s visit underscores Ukraine’s effort to maintain stability with a key ally amid Poland’s evolving political landscape.