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WARSAW — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tried to rebuild bridges with Poland late on Saturday, searching 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) occasion has taken an unexpectedly laborious line towards its war-torn neighbor previously days, largely for causes associated to the approaching election on October 15.
With the intention to defend Polish farmers — essential to the ruling occasion’s electoral prospects subsequent month — Warsaw has blocked agricultural imports from Ukraine, in a protectionist transfer that Kyiv says is against the law and has referred to the World Commerce Group. Amid this dispute over meals merchandise, Warsaw made the shock announcement it could not ship arms to Ukrainian forces combating 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 bizarre Poles and Ukrainians. In that vein, Marcin Przydacz, head of the workplace of worldwide coverage on the presidency, instructed 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 stated journalist Bianka Zalewska from the U.S.-owned tv community TVN had helped present humanitarian support 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 stated.
“I wish to thank all of Poland for his or her invaluable assist and solidarity, which helps to defend the liberty of our total Europe!” Zelenskyy stated on X, the platform previously referred to as 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 stated. “I used to be there till the tip [of the Ukrainian defense] in Bakhmut, in Soledar, in Zaporizhzhia,” he stated. “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 stated.
Kamil Turecki is a journalist with Poland’s Onet, a sister publication of POLITICO, additionally owned by Axel Springer.
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