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WARSAW — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tried to rebuild bridges with Poland late on Saturday, looking for to take the sting out of a political dispute with Warsaw by giving awards to 2 Polish humanitarian volunteers on his manner again from a visit to the U.S. and Canada.
Though Poland was a die-hard ally of Ukraine within the early days of the Russian invasion, the conservative, nationalist authorities of the Legislation and Justice (PiS) social gathering has taken an unexpectedly exhausting line towards its war-torn neighbor prior to now days, largely for causes associated to the upcoming election on October 15.
So as to defend Polish farmers — essential to the ruling social gathering’s electoral prospects subsequent month — Warsaw has blocked agricultural imports from Ukraine, in a protectionist transfer that Kyiv says is prohibited and has referred to the World Commerce Group. Amid this dispute over meals merchandise, Warsaw made the shock announcement it could now not ship arms to Ukrainian forces preventing the Russians.
Over current days, Zelenskyy has been eager to keep away from venturing into Polish electoral politics, however has as an alternative tried to play up the significance of direct relations between unusual Poles and Ukrainians. In that vein, Marcin Przydacz, head of the workplace of worldwide coverage on the presidency, advised the Onet information platform that Zelenskyy had merely visited Poland in transit on his manner dwelling to Kyiv and had not met politicians.
As an alternative, Zelenskyy offered decorations to 2 Poles concerned in serving to Ukraine. Zelenskyy mentioned journalist Bianka Zalewska from the U.S.-owned tv community TVN had helped present humanitarian help to Ukrainians and transport wounded kids to Polish hospitals. Fight medic Damian Duda had gathered groups to deal with wounded troopers close to the entrance line and arrange a fund to help medics and supply them with coaching, he mentioned.
“I wish to thank all of Poland for his or her invaluable help and solidarity, which helps to defend the liberty of our total Europe!” Zelenskyy mentioned on X, the platform previously often called Twitter.
Duda defined to Onet that he was awarded the presidential order “For Meritorious Service” Third Class for his work since 2014 as a battlefield medic.
“I work within the Ukrainian trenches, saving Ukrainian troopers,” he mentioned. “I used to be there till the tip [of the Ukrainian defense] in Bakhmut, in Soledar, in Zaporizhzhia,” he mentioned. “Our work is voluntary, our work is cost-free and I’m glad that risking our lives to assist one other human being has been seen by President Zelenskyy,” the medic mentioned.
Kamil Turecki is a journalist with Poland’s Onet, a sister publication of POLITICO, additionally owned by Axel Springer.
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