The first direct meeting between Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit in Ankara ended without a breakthrough on historical disputes. Nawrocki stated that the issue of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) is non-negotiable for Poland, yet both leaders acknowledged the necessity of cooperation in the face of Russian aggression.
– We did not manage to resolve the historical issues – said President Karol Nawrocki after the meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky during the NATO summit in Ankara. – But we also did not approach it with the hope that we would be able to resolve all the issues – he added. The talks, which lasted about an hour, were the first direct encounter between the two presidents since the escalation of the dispute over historical policy.
– For me, the issues of the UPA are non-negotiable – President Karol Nawrocki stated at a press conference in Ankara. – The emotions of Poles regarding the Volhynian genocide are a non-negotiable matter. The lack of agreement on this issue constitutes a concrete problem – he explained. Nawrocki emphasised that despite these differences, responsibility for the situation linked to Russia’s invasion must be taken.
Shared threat despite sharp divisions
– It is good that we met. With the President of Ukraine, we discussed how Polish-Ukrainian cooperation should look – Nawrocki said. He stressed that Russia is a long-term threat to Poland and to the entire Alliance. Zelensky commented on the meeting on platform X: – It was an important and necessary conversation. We face one common threat – Russia. And it is crucial to maintain mutual understanding, support and unity of action. Our countries need only strong relations. We agreed to continue our dialogue.
Nawrocki pointed out that the summit clearly showed NATO is ready to respond to international challenges. – What Poland expected from the North Atlantic Alliance has been fulfilled – he said. He also highlighted the significance of transatlantic ties within NATO, recalling that the United States is a strategic ally of Poland and that the summit confirmed the durability of cooperation between Europe and the USA.
NATO at its strongest, says Polish president
– I leave Ankara with a deep conviction that the North Atlantic Alliance is the strongest in its history – Nawrocki declared. – I must say, with full responsibility, that the policy of US President Donald Trump is bringing results – he said, referring to increased defence spending. – There is a mobilisation of our allies. Poland did not need to be encouraged; we feel responsible for NATO – he added.
Earlier, Ukrainian presidential communications advisor Dmytro Lytvyn had indicated that the two leaders would try to align their schedules for a meeting. Nawrocki and Zelensky had briefly spoken on Tuesday, with the Polish president describing it as a courteous exchange while noting his position on bilateral tensions remained unchanged.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
