Polish-Ukrainian Diplomatic Talks at the Forefront
A plan is circulating in Warsaw for a formal meeting hosted by the Polish government, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the helm, to bring together Ukraine’s leadership and European Union representatives. Presidential Minister Andrzej Dera appeared on TV to stress that President Andrzej Duda supports moving this dialogue forward in a practical, results-focused way.
Zelensky’s Call for a Border Government Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to Prime Minister Donald Tusk to convene a joint government session at their shared border ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Zelensky also urged President Duda to back the dialogue, framing it as a matter of national security. He noted that the border blockage threatens weapon shipments to troops on the front line and announced that on the Ukrainian side the entire government, from logistics to agriculture, and Ukraine’s Defence Minister would participate at the border.
SEE THE DETAILS: Peasants’ strikes on the Polish-Ukrainian border. Zelensky calls on Duda and Tusk for a meeting. “We need unity and solutions.” VIDEO
“Dialogue Is the Only Viable Path
In comments on Wednesday, Andrzej Dera was asked whether the president would back Zelensky’s call. The presidential minister replied that the president favors the dialogue and believes it is the best path to address the situation effectively. He stressed that the issue is two-sided and severe, with both Polish farmers and the Ukrainian nation fighting for their survival. The intensity on both sides makes a timely resolution crucial.
Dera added that there is no alternative to talking with those directly involved, and that any solutions should consider EU perspectives. He also recalled that European farmers have been protesting policies affecting agriculture across the continent.
When asked whether President Zelensky would join the border dialogue, Dera affirmed that Zelensky had requested a government meeting and that the Ukrainian leadership is ready to participate.
The president is committed to supporting efforts that maintain focus on what is happening at the border. He has emphasized that the grain and agricultural dispute stems from the wider war and that the responsibility lies with the aggression coming from Moscow, a point he attributes to Russia’s actions.
— he noted. Dera reminded audiences that before the war Ukraine maintained its own distribution routes for grain, shipping to Africa and Asia. Russian aggression disrupted these channels and contributed to current problems.
READ ALSO: The main problem! President in an interview for Suspilne: the trouble with Ukrainian food began because of Russian aggression.
Border Summit: A Viable Venue?
Dera was asked whether a border meeting is the safest option. He replied that while a border setting is not ideal for long negotiations, today’s moods and the border blockade make such a gathering symbolic and potentially productive. He argued that the border should remain clear for essential reasons, including agriculture and the flow of weapons to the front. The border setting might help focus attention on immediate issues while enabling the parties to move toward durable solutions.
Asked whether Andrzej Duda could act as a patron for the meeting, Dera said that the question of a patron was not the point; the priority is a concrete, high-level discussion among Warsaw, Kyiv, and EU representatives. He pointed to EU policy differences and price variances between EU member states and Ukraine as factors shaping the dialogue. The goal is to protect Polish farmers while ensuring Ukrainian supplies and maintaining security, especially on the front lines.
There is a clear emphasis on a coordinated approach that links agricultural policy with security considerations, recognizing that the two are deeply intertwined in the current crisis.
Farmers’ Protests Across the Region
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On Tuesday, Polish farmers staged widespread protests, blocking roads, highways, and border crossings with Ukraine. Their opposition extends to the influx of Ukrainian goods and to European policies tied to the Green Deal. Similar protests have occurred in several European countries as farmers complain about low crop prices, policy changes, and perceived unfair competition. Critics argue that non-EU producers face fewer restrictions, while EU farmers bear tighter constraints. The protests underscore a broader debate about agricultural policy, trade, and security during wartime conditions.
Observers note that the protests reflect a broader fear among Eastern European farmers about market access and competition, particularly in the context of Ukrainian imports that have benefited from tariff and quota exemptions since Russia’s invasion.
For readers seeking deeper context, there are discussions about the overall state of the farmers’ sector and how policy shifts might affect livelihoods in the near term. The unfolding situation at the border remains a focal point for both domestic concerns and EU-level policy discussions.
Source: wPolityce