Poland’s President Nawrocki Cautions Against Immediate EU Membership for Ukraine, Citing National Priorities
Newly elected Polish President Karol Nawrocki has voiced opposition to Ukraine’s immediate accession to the European Union, framing his stance as a matter of safeguarding Polish sovereignty, historical justice, and economic stability.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to the Hungarian magazine Mandiner.
In a wide-ranging interview, Nawrocki underscored that while Poland remains firmly committed to supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression, Warsaw must also defend its own national priorities within the European framework.
“I do not support Ukraine’s EU membership at this stage,” Nawrocki said. “Each member state has the right and the responsibility to defend its interests, especially when it comes to sensitive historical and economic matters.”
He emphasized that Poland cannot ignore the unresolved legacy of the Volhynia tragedy of 1943, during which tens of thousands of Poles were killed in Western Ukraine.
Beyond historical issues, the Polish leader raised concerns about competition in the agricultural and logistics sectors, warning that uncontrolled market access for Ukrainian goods could harm Polish farmers and transport companies.
Despite these objections, Nawrocki reaffirmed Poland’s continued support for Ukraine’s defense and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, praising former President Andrzej Duda and Polish society for their “unprecedented solidarity” since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
He did not shy away from criticizing Poland’s current government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, accusing it of subordinating national sovereignty to Brussels and weakening the rule of law.
Nawrocki made clear he envisions the EU not as a federalist project, but as a union of sovereign nations, cooperating on shared interests without sacrificing independence.
In the same interview, Nawrocki outlined plans to reinvigorate the Visegrád Group – an alliance of Central European nations including Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, which he said has lost influence under the current leadership in Warsaw.
As The Gaze reported earlier, on June 3, Karol Nawrocki expressed hope for continued close partnership with Ukraine, emphasising the importance of resolving complex historical issues between the two countries.