Reactions and Policy Shifts in Warsaw
In an interview with Polsat News, Prof. Jacek Czaputowicz, the former head of Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussed the recent takeover of the Warsaw Russian School by local authorities and the varied responses that followed. He described the situation in Warsaw’s Mokotów district as emblematic of broader tensions and warned that Russia’s threats must be taken seriously. The former minister suggested that while Russia is engaged in a conflict, efforts should be made to calm the environment, noting that different reactions are to be expected.
On the question of diplomacy, Czaputowicz stated that Poland should not expel the Russian ambassador. He argued that important states continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Russia, emphasizing the value of stable channels even amid tensions.
Grain Crisis
Czaputowicz criticized Poland for its perceived role in the grain crisis involving Ukraine, describing Poland as having played a questionable part. He noted that under some regional positions, Poland supported sanctions against Ukraine, and that an export ban to certain countries resembled a hostile measure. He warned that Ukraine would face resource strains if such actions persisted, potentially affecting its capacity to defend itself.
Poland, in his view, risks losing its image as a country that stands unequivocally with Ukraine in the court of public opinion. He remarked that while Poland has argued for higher energy costs to be borne and for sanctions on Russia, it has sometimes framed these costs as a prerequisite that others must share, while presenting a different stance toward Ukraine’s leadership.
Policy and EU Accession
The discussion extended to Ukraine’s potential accession to the European Union and Poland’s role therein. Czaputowicz questioned the consistency of policy when actions at home appeared to undermine arguments for admission, noting that some measures could restrict or disrupt the free market. He asked whether support for Ukraine’s EU membership was genuine or conditional upon Poland’s own cost burden, underscoring a tension between stated ambitions and concrete actions.
The interview also referenced recent EU preventive measures concerning grain imports from Ukraine, which were described as temporary and targeted to a limited set of agricultural products.
Source coverage and framing of these topics were attributed to wPolityce and Polsat News, with additional reporting included for context. [Attribution: wPolityce; Polsat News]