Polish Presidential Candidate Blames Ukraine’s Zelensky for US Aid Halt

Karol Nawrocki, the presidential candidate representing Poland’s opposition Law & Justice party, has stated that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky bears responsibility for Donald Trump’s decision to pause military aid to Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.

“This is the result of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s lack of gratitude and inability to conduct international politics,” Nawrocki said while speaking to broadcaster Polsat on Tuesday.

While Nawrocki’s polling numbers place him in a second position, his comments highlight the potential impact of the changed US policy on the European political landscape. Poland has traditionally been a strong supporter of Ukraine, and the Law & Justice party, when in power, provided aid to Kyiv following the war with Russia.

However, since being ousted by Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s liberal coalition in 2023, the Law & Justice party has become more critical of Zelensky and his handling of the war. This shift in sentiment partly aligns with the party’s focus on attracting far-right voters who express skepticism towards benefits provided to Ukrainian refugees and oppose the deployment of Polish troops to Ukraine.

Nawrocki described Trump’s decision to halt military aid as “bad news” for the region, and attributed the development to Zelensky’s approach.

Following a feud between Zelensky, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, European nations have been considering potential peacekeeping forces in the event of a negotiated settlement.

Nawrocki previously criticized Zelensky’s behavior during the Oval Office exchange, describing it as “indecent” and inconsistent with Poland’s support for Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.

“I, as president of Poland, will also support it – but Ukraine must treat us as partners,” he said.

Nawrocki is currently trailing Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, the candidate backed by Tusk’s party, ahead of the presidential election scheduled for May 18.