Former Ukrainian diplomat and a circle of experts are urgently commenting on the results of the recent presidential elections in Poland, emphasizing the importance and potential consequences of the upcoming leadership for Ukrainian-Polish relations
According to Andriy Deshchytsia, former ambassador of Ukraine to Warsaw and one of the most active participants in the diplomatic sphere, the victory of the representative of conservative and right-wing forces at the Polish polling station, Karol Nawsiołowski, signals significant changes in the nature of relations with the neighboring country. He is convinced that with the arrival of politicians with a harsher and more rigid rhetoric to power, the relations between Ukraine and Poland are likely to become more tense and ambiguous. In his analysis, Deshchytsia notes that despite the absence of "apocalyptic scenarios" capable of instantly changing the situation, it can be accurately predicted that tensions in cooperation will intensify. "Nawsiołowski is a representative of the right-wing political force and a conservative with a nationalist inclination, so during the election campaign he was supported by the most radical wings of Polish politics. This will undoubtedly influence the style and directions of integration processes in the future," he emphasizes. Another important factor he highlights is the traditional support of Nawsiołowski by extreme right forces, which provided up to 80% of their votes. According to him, these political wings often promote rhetoric mostly hostile to Ukraine, hinting at a possible strengthening of linguistic and cultural conflicts. At the same time, the former diplomat recalls his many years of experience working in Poland, stating that during his eight years in the country, there were almost no openly anti-Ukrainian statements or hostile actions toward Ukraine in politics and diplomacy. This suggests that diplomacy and the pursuit of compromises are still capable of maintaining a balance even during periods of political change. In addition to political and internal factors, Deshchytsia highlights other destabilizing forces working to undermine friendly relations between the two countries. Specifically, he discusses active Russian propaganda efforts, which allegedly utilize information technologies to incite conflicts and create prerequisites for strengthening anti-Polish and anti-Russian sentiments within Polish society. "Russian security services and propaganda structures are likely gaining additional opportunities under the new conditions, trying to deepen discrepancies between our countries and undermine trust in bilateral relations," the diplomat notes. In his conclusions, Deshchytsia believes that Ukrainian authorities should demonstrate diplomatic flexibility and strive for constructive dialogue, even considering possible challenges that may arise during the new presidential term in neighboring Poland. He stresses the importance of not losing sight of shared interests—strategic and economic—as well as preventing some Polish politicians or external actors from exploiting difficulties in relations with Ukraine for their own purposes. Earlier, during the official vote tallying after the second round of elections in Poland, opposition candidate and right-wing representative Karol Nawsiołowski won a convincing victory with over 50%. His opponent, the candidate from the ruling party, Raffał Trzaskowski, garnered nearly half of the votes, making the result both narrow and decisive for the country’s subsequent political situation. According to Ukrainian political experts and parliamentarians, this victory could significantly influence Poland’s foreign policy, particularly regarding cooperation with Ukraine within the framework of European integration processes. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, chair of the parliamentary committee on Ukraine's integration into the European Union, notes that the new president could complicate Ukraine’s efforts to gain full EU membership due to changes in the political course. She emphasizes that the Polish presidential elections are important not only for the country’s internal stability but also for the European integration of the entire region. Much analytical material and articles have already been written about the importance of future changes and potential challenges in bilateral relations. For example, in the article titled "Polish Trump: What problems and challenges does Karol Nawsiołowski’s victory bring?" detailed scenarios of developments are described, with references to internal politics, external influences, and global trends that could either hinder or stimulate Ukraine-Poland cooperation in the near future. Thus, the election results in Poland do not go unnoticed by Ukraine’s political elite and diplomatic corps. They highlight the significant importance of the future stance of Polish leadership regarding Ukraine, as well as emphasize the importance of diplomatic dialogue, seeking compromises, and strategic partnership during times of change. Ukraine aims to withstand these new conditions, strengthen its positions, and maintain long-term friendly relations with the Polish people and authorities, regardless of political fluctuations or external factors.