Tusk: 'Idiotic' to block Ukraine's EU path or aid over disputes

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has vehemently rejected the idea that Poland should impede Ukraine's European Union accession or military aid over bilateral disputes. He described the demands from the opposition party Law and Justice (PiS) as "idiotic" and "deadly policy."

PiS, through figures like Przemyslaw Czarnek, has insisted that Kyiv must return to "human values" and cease glorifying the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and nationalists responsible for the 1943-1945 Volhynia and Galicia massacres of Polish civilians. A proposed parliamentary resolution by PiS lawmakers calls for a veto on EU accession talks until Ukraine stops honoring these historical figures.

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It is deadly policy, these are idiotic words.

This stance has been echoed by Marcin Przydacz, an advisor to the Polish president, who questioned Ukraine's desire for EU membership if it continues to venerate wartime collaborators. The tension has escalated, with the Polish president revoking a state honor from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a Ukrainian unit was named after a UPA hero. Zelenskyy, in turn, announced plans for a National Pantheon to honor Ukraine's chosen heroes.

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I ask, does Ukraine really want to join the EU? Because if it does, it must first reform the state, fight corruption, and stop glorifying collaborators with the Nazis.

Przydacz also accused Ukrainian oligarchs of opposing EU integration to maintain their ability to "steal" as they do in Ukraine, suggesting some are linked to President Zelenskyy. Tusk criticized this escalating rhetoric, urging politicians to stop spreading "nonsense" and emphasizing that Poland's security depends on Ukraine's effective defense against Russia.

Tusk also chided the opposition for creating a scandal over Poland's decision to send Patriot missile defense rockets to Ukraine at the request of allies, contrasting it with their past criticism of Germany for not supplying such aid.

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I can only appeal to all politicians in Poland, without exception, because politicians generally spread this aggressive narrative, to stop talking such nonsense. It is in Poland's security interest to effectively defend Ukraine from Russia. Period. End of story.