Kiev has a plan to improve relations with Poland. Zelenski's office is up to something

One of the main elements of the programme is to establish closer contacts with people who already see Ukraine positively. The plans include, among another things, educational activities devoted to the threat from Russia and the common past and erstwhile alliances of both countries. The Ukrainian website is besides expected to search information that can confirm that Russian funds go to Polish anti-Ukrainian environments.

The plan besides involves strengthening cooperation with business representatives, experts and media. The concept of active usage of public diplomacy was supported by Iryna Wereszczuk, Vice-Chief of the Office of the president of Ukraine, according to the information “DGP”. Ultimately, her proposal prevailed over another ideas concerning further shaping of Polish-Ukrainian relations.

Among the options under consideration, there was besides a more conservative approach to waiting out the period of strong anti-Ukrainian sentiments. The ‘DGP’ recalls that a akin strategy was applied by Ukraine after the decision to give 1 of the military units a name associated with the UPA Heroes. This decision was met with a negative reaction of part of Polish public opinion.

Another script was to decision the dispute to an global level and affect the institutions of the European Union in issues concerning anti-Ukrainian incidents in Poland. 1 possible step was even to file a complaint under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Agriculture

However, the implementation of Kiev's plans may be hampered by unresolved historical issues and disputes concerning agriculture. There are presently talks in Kiev about the increase in transit of Ukrainian grain through Poland. This subject is of peculiar interest to Polish farmers who remember the problems associated with the import of Ukrainian agricultural products from the years 2022 to 2023. The organisation of Polish cereal producers wants to participate in the negotiations as their authoritative website, but talks are held for the time being outside the Ministry of Agriculture.

Stefan Krajewski pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture does not organise transport corridors, and the issue itself is very delicate.

In turn, erstwhile diplomat Jerzy Marek Nowakowski estimated that there was a hazard of another tension on the Warsaw-Kijów line. In his opinion, the situation may be utilized to trigger another conflict, peculiarly in connection with the actions of Russian propaganda.

Poles confessed

Historical issues are besides a problem for improving relations. This is confirmed by the results of a SW investigation survey conducted for Rzeczpospolita in the beginning of the summer. The respondents were asked about the impact of Volodymyr Zelenski's decision to give the Ukrainian military unit the name “UPA heroes” on their attitude towards Ukraine and Ukrainians.

More than half of the respondents, precisely 51.9 percent, stated that their attitude had deteriorated after this decision. For 31.9% of respondents, this event did not affect their attitude towards Ukraine, while 11.7% were incapable to take a position on this issue.