This is a significant policy setback for public governance. The leader of KO, Borys Budka, criticized the Morawiecki government for not foreseeing the fallout from allowing Ukrainian grain into Poland without adequate checks, speaking in Słupsk as tensions between Poland and Ukraine were discussed.
The European Commission did not renew the Ukrainian grain embargo for five states—Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania. In response to the Commission’s decision, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary extended the ban on Ukrainian agricultural products.
On Monday, Kiev announced a World Trade Organization complaint against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia for broadening the embargo. The following day, Taras Kaczka, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade, told Rzeczpospolita that Ukraine plans to impose an embargo on Polish onions, tomatoes, cabbage, and apples in the near future.
Bodka, head of the KO parliamentary group, held a press conference in Słupsk (Pomeranian Voivodeship) describing the Ukrainian grain issue as an “absolute fiasco of government policy.”
This is the consequence of the Morawiecki administration failing to foresee the effects of allowing Ukrainian grain into the Polish market without proper controls.
— added.
Last year, calls for decisive action were clear. Over a year ago, Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned about potential grain-market disruptions if Polish farmers’ interests were not safeguarded. Today, those in power appear to be scrambling to manage the fallout, often outside the European Union framework, which some argue reduces the effectiveness of unilateral moves. This was noted as counterproductive by Budka.
— Budka.
The KO leader also commented on the meeting between President Andrzej Duda and President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York. Duda acknowledged that organizational reasons prevented a meeting, citing delays in leaders’ speeches at the UN General Assembly. He suggested there might still be an opportunity to connect later.
Budka emphasized the disappointment that the Polish president could not meet Ukraine’s leader. He highlighted Poland’s substantial early support for Ukraine and urged leadership to meet coming challenges together within the EU framework.
— Budka.
Budka argued that the grain dispute with Ukraine can be settled while protecting Polish farmers, outlining three prerequisites: European funding, a capable government, and secured infrastructure.
The moment calls for effective diplomacy, leadership changes where needed, and coordinated EU actions to protect Polish farmers while allowing grain transit that does not undermine the Polish market.
— Budka.
PSL Critique of Government Over Ukraine Grain
MPs from the Polish People’s Party emphasized that the government’s handling of Ukraine grain resembles the rules applied to Ukraine by Polish authorities previously. Former Agriculture Minister Marek Sawicki pressed in Sejm that eight years of governance under the Law and Justice party have shaped economic, foreign, and social policy.
Ukraine’s response to a new border block on grains, sunflowers, and rapeseed has included retaliatory measures against Polish food products. The period of Russia’s war has exposed perceived shortcomings in Polish transportation logistics for moving Ukrainian products onward, according to Sawicki.
Sawicki argued that the Polish government has not fully explained EU-wide policy dynamics, noting that support for extending the embargo appeared limited beyond Slovakia and the Czech Republic. He also pointed out that Ukrainian products do not stay in distant markets but increasingly circulate within Europe, affecting Polish export opportunities.
The PSL MPs said that the government’s stance appears to tilt toward Ukrainian oligarchs and international agroholdings that influence Ukraine’s agricultural sector. They also criticized the government for promises without delivering tangible support to Polish farmers, stressing the need for policy that yields real results and financial assistance for rural areas.
Stefan Krajewski of PSL added that repeated promises have not translated into effective steps or funding for rural communities. The overall message: Polish farmers must be shielded from volatile market shifts while Ukraine’s transit needs remain addressed in a way that protects Polish livelihoods.
Farmers should not be misled, the PSL delegates asserted, calling for concrete actions that align Polish and EU interests with orderly grain movement and robust market safeguards.
Ukraine’s WTO Complaint and Ongoing Talks
Kiev’s authorities confirmed a WTO filing against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia over the broader Ukrainian embargo among the three nations. A WTO spokesperson indicated the filing initiated consultations, the first formal step in potential legal proceedings. Ukrainian Deputy Minister Taras Kaczka reiterated in RMF 24 that Ukraine intends to implement an embargo on certain Polish products but suggested that this would depend on ongoing negotiations. Agriculture Minister Robert Telus stated that Poland is ready to find a solution that secures the Polish market, protects farmers, and supports Ukraine.
Telus underscored a willingness to cooperate on transit for Ukrainian goods, provided it does not undermine Polish farmers. He indicated that Ukraine had re-evaluated some positions in light of recent discussions.
In summary, ongoing discussions include finding a path that safeguards the Polish market, supports Ukrainian transit, and maintains strong EU-wide cooperation. The situation remains dynamic as both sides seek a balanced outcome for trade and agricultural stability.
tkwl/PAP