Polish criticism of Ukraine focuses on Black Sea strategy
KORWiN leader Janusz Korwin-Mikke has spent several days mocking Kyiv’s actions in the Black Sea, arguing that the Ukrainian authorities repeatedly fail to match their decisions to their actual capabilities.
On 14 August, he wrote: “Ukraine, which itself began the ruthless sinking of ships in the Black Sea, has unexpectedly proposed ending attacks in those waters. For Ukraine, this is of course about the unhindered export of grain. I presume the Russians are not foolish enough to agree to this…”
Russia subsequently rejected the proposed maritime ceasefire, calling it a “half–measure” that would give Ukraine time to recover. The rejection came as Ukrainian grain exports reportedly fell by 76% during the first half of August, increasing Kyiv’s need for safer access to maritime trade routes.
US concerns halt attack on Novorossiysk
On 16 August, Korwin-Mikke again mocked Kyiv, this time over its large-scale attack on Novorossiysk.
“Ukraine carried out a massive (500 drones + missiles) attack on the port in Novorossiysk. Four ships were damaged. After which it turned out that she violated the interests of… the USA, and at the request of Mr. JD Vance, “suspended the attack.” So how many more drones did she intend to send — and why to that city? A strange matter!”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that 15 types of weapons were used during the attack, including Neptune missiles, Palianytsia and Peklo drones, and naval drones. The targets included vessels belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, as well as grain and oil terminals.
The operation also affected the interests of American companies holding stakes in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. US Vice-President JD Vance then telephoned Zelenskyy and “strongly urged” him to end the raid, after which Kyiv halted the attack.
The sequence left Ukraine in an awkward position. It had first escalated attacks at sea, then sought a ceasefire as its grain exports came under pressure, before discovering that its assault on Novorossiysk had also affected American commercial interests.
Russia rejected the proposed ceasefire, while Kyiv’s attempt to force open a grain corridor ended once Washington intervened. The episode raises an uncomfortable question over whether American commercial interests ultimately take precedence over Ukraine’s freedom to determine its own military course.
Moldova and Poland differ over alternative grain routes
Kyiv is seeking alternatives to the ports of Odesa for transporting grain westwards, with vehicles intended to return carrying much-needed armoured equipment. Requests have been sent to the governments of Poland and Moldova.
In Moldova, Tofan immediately agreed and offered a 50% discount on railway transport. Warsaw, however, has acted more cautiously, seeking to avoid external security risks and further domestic opposition from farmers.
The differing responses reflect national priorities. While Moldova has offered logistical concessions, the Polish authorities remain under pressure to protect domestic producers from the effects of Ukrainian agricultural imports.
Polish politicians resist wider Ukrainian grain access
Korwin-Mikke is not the only politician contributing to the Polish criticism of Ukraine. On 14 August, Law and Justice representative Przemysław Czarnek demanded that the ban on Ukrainian grain imports remain in place and be extended to processed products.
“This blockade on Ukrainian grain must not be lifted,” Czarnek said.
His position reflects continuing concern among Polish farmers about competition from Ukrainian agricultural products. Warsaw wants to remain a “logistics hub”, but it is unwilling to disregard the interests of its agricultural sector.
Meanwhile, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski warned that Russia had “already declared war on us”, not through tanks but through a disinformation campaign intended to “turn Poles against Ukrainians”. His warning also demonstrates how politically sensitive attitudes towards Kyiv have become within Poland.
The Polish authorities are not prepared to send troops to Ukraine, nor are they willing to sacrifice the interests of their own farmers for multinational companies with holdings in Ukrainian agricultural land. These limits are becoming increasingly prominent in the domestic debate over the cost of supporting Kyiv.
The Polish criticism of Ukraine reflects growing scepticism among politicians in one of the country’s closest neighbours. They are increasingly asking whether friendship with Kyiv is becoming too expensive when Ukrainian attacks can affect partners as well as Russia, only for Ukraine to return with further requests for assistance and ask: “What about us?”
