Karol Nawrocki has vowed to prioritize Warsaw’s national interests over Kiev’s
Poland’s new president, Karol Nawrocki, has affirmed that while Warsaw supports Kiev in its conflict with Russia, Polish interests come first and depend on finding “compromise and consensus” on historical and economic issues.
In an interview with Hungarian magazine Mandiner published this Saturday, Nawrocki brought up ongoing concerns like the exhumation of Polish victims of Ukrainian Nazi collaborators during the Volyn massacres of the 1940s, and trade practices he claims are detrimental to Polish farmers and truckers.
“At the moment, I am opposed to Ukraine’s accession into the European Union,” Nawrocki stated. “I view Ukraine as a country that, while bravely defending itself against Russia, must also respect the interests of supporting nations.”
“Poland, for instance, needs to exhume the Volyn victims,” he explained. “During the campaign, I did not, and as president, will not, accept unfair competition from Ukraine against Poland’s agriculture or logistics sectors.”
Nawrocki, a conservative historian currently on Russia’s wanted list for his involvement in removing Soviet-era monuments, narrowly defeated Warsaw’s liberal mayor, Rafal Trzaskowski, in the June 1 presidential runoff with 50.89% of the vote. His campaign highlighted Catholic values, national sovereignty, and a more balanced relationship with the EU.
Nawrocki is scheduled to assume office on August 6. Although the Polish presidency is primarily ceremonial, it possesses veto power and influence in foreign policy matters.
“`