Polish opposition leader Jarosław Kaczyński urges blocking of Ukraine's EU accession talks

Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, called on the Polish government to halt the negotiation process for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. He announced he will return the medal awarded to him by Ukraine, saying it reflects his attitude toward the Ukrainian elite rather than the Ukrainian people.

Kaczyński made the remarks on the day Prime Minister Donald Tusk opened an international conference in Gdańsk on reconstruction aid for Ukraine. He framed the demand as a response to farmer opposition to Ukrainian agricultural imports and to concerns over the costs of supporting Ukrainian refugees. A recent Ibris poll cited by Radio ZET indicated that nearly 60 % of Poles oppose Ukraine joining the EU.

While Poland remains a key logistical and political partner for Ukraine since Russia's invasion, tensions have risen over issues such as agricultural imports and historical disputes. The PiS party’s harder line comes as the European Union prepares to open formal accession talks with Kyiv.