The new President of Poland, Karol Nawraczyk, in his first public statements after winning the presidential election, expressed his position regarding the prospects of Ukraine’s integration into the European Union
According to him, he currently does not support a rapid and forced accession of our country into the European family. In an interview with the Hungarian publication Mandiner, Nawraczyk clearly outlined his views on this issue. When asked about the possibility of accelerating Ukraine's EU accession process, he replied: “At this moment, I am against Ukraine's rapid entry into the European Union.” He explained his stance by emphasizing the importance of maintaining strategic and geopolitical cooperation with our country, with a particular focus on the threats from Russia. “For me, and for the entire region, the greatest danger remains the Russian Federation — a post-imperial, neo-communist state led by Vladimir Putin, which wages war and commits crimes against humanity. I belong to those who are very critical of Putin’s Russia,” he stated. According to him, he has personally experienced persecution from Russia due to his activities in the field of national memory: “I face a five-year prison sentence for my work at the Institute of National Memory. That is a real danger.” The politician hinted that, along with supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, it is necessary to consider the interests of other countries in the region. “Ukraine must understand that Poland, Hungary, and other European states have their own interests,” Nawraczyk emphasized. He specifically mentioned the topic of radical historical research — the issue of exhuming victims of the Volhynian massacre — as an example of how difficulties sometimes arise between countries due to differing approaches to the past. “I advocate for Poland-Ukraine relations to be based on mutual respect and a willingness to find compromises. There is no need to create unconstructive competition in areas such as agriculture or logistics, as this only worsens the situation,” he noted. At the same time, he provided his perspective — a need for balance: “We must support Ukraine in its fight against Russia but also care for our own interests, since each country has its priorities and tools for achieving stability.” Overall, Nawraczyk emphasized that, in his opinion, the current situation requires a balanced, pragmatic approach, understanding the complexities of regional politics and national interests. This is especially relevant given his recent victory in the Polish presidential elections, where he received nearly 51% of the votes, beating his main opponent, Rafał Trzaskowski, who gained 49%. The new president is officially set to take office on August 6 and is already defining his priorities in foreign policy and internal reforms. Further insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Nawraczyk, as well as the impact of his election on Poland’s relations with neighboring countries and the EU as a whole, can be found in specialized analytical materials dedicated to his election, including comparisons with American Trump and claims to be a regional leader.