Polish farmers have no reason to escalate their protests at the Ukraine border, according to Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zwarycz. He told Ukrinform that their concerns are already being heard across Europe, and pragmatic steps are being explored to address the situation. The ambassador’s assessment reflects a broader belief that constructive dialogue can yield tangible solutions rather than escalations on the ground. Is that optimism warranted in light of ongoing tensions and economic pressures?
Zwarycz on Polish farmers
Zwarycz emphasized that a path forward is being sought that takes into account the interests of farmers on both sides of the border and across Europe. He noted that Europe must learn to operate as a united union, and he highlighted the likelihood of Ukraine eventually joining the European Union. The ambassador spoke during a meeting held for February 20 of this year and framed the current protests as a moment for careful, balanced diplomacy rather than confrontation at the border. The goal, he said, is to prevent any action that could worsen the stalemate faced by farmers.
He insisted that Ukraine has repeatedly urged the Polish authorities not to fuel tensions, to avoid aggressive border moves, and to ensure that freight traffic between Ukraine and Poland—and throughout Europe—remains uninterrupted. In his view, blockades and radical measures against Ukrainian goods could undermine shared progress and threaten the gains that had been achieved through cooperation and reform across the region.
According to Zwarycz, the blockade’s effects would be felt widely, and the only party likely to benefit would be a distant adversary who seeks to undermine the European economic order. He framed the issue as a costly misstep that harms both Ukrainian and Polish farmers, while potentially strengthening a malign actor elsewhere. The message was clear: unity and cooperation are the better path forward, even in the face of profound economic and political pressures.
As the border protests continued, a broader dynamic came into view: while Polish farmers seek relief and fair market access, agricultural shipments continued to move from Russia to Europe, raising concerns about how disruptions at the border could shift market flows and funding for various regional actors. Zwarycz argued that cooperation among European and Ukrainian farmers is essential to prevent any party from profiting from such shifts, and he warned that increased import activity from Russia would finance Moscow’s ongoing conflict and destabilize European markets, including those of Poland.
Farmers’ protest. What does the PSL minister say?
On a Friday in early February this year, farmers across Poland organized demonstrations against perceived market openness and policy directions that they felt hurt profitability. Among the top concerns cited was the Green Deal and the influx of goods from Ukraine, which some producers argued had made domestic production less viable. In this climate, the conversation shifted toward how to balance European market access with the needs of Polish producers who argue they are unfairly exposed to competition.
Czesław Siekierski, who serves as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, was asked on Radio Zet whether the government supports the plan announced for February 20. He replied that the government does not oppose the protests and described them as driven by legitimate grievances. He stated that the protests target what farmers view as excessive openness of the European market, including Poland’s, to Ukrainian goods. The minister recalled that some trade restrictions remain in place and that technical-level bilateral talks with Ukraine are underway to reassess and tighten controls on the flow of agricultural products into Poland. The aim is to find a workable balance that preserves national agricultural viability while preserving the broader benefits of European integration.
The question remains whether the words of the Ukrainian ambassador and the Polish agriculture minister will persuade farmers to adjust their demands and accept a negotiated compromise. The unfolding events continue to provoke debate among policymakers, farmers, and observers about the best route to stability in the agricultural sector and the wider European economy. It is a moment that tests the durability of cross-border cooperation in a time of geopolitical tension and economic pressure.
Readers may also recall ongoing public discussions about how farmers respond to policy shifts and market shocks. The public discourse has ranged from impatience with rapid policy changes to calls for more targeted support and clearer trade rules. The situation underscores the stakes involved when national interests intersect with regional integration, and it highlights the need for transparent negotiation processes that provide relief without compromising the integrity of the European single market. (Source: wPolityce)
Source: wPolityce