I’m writing this post because I saw multiple misconceptions on this subreddit regarding the situation on the border, and everything I see both on Reddit and Twitter makes me extremely sad.

*(disclaimer: I’m a Ukrainian, who’s been living in Kraków for the last 7.5 years, so I’m a part of both “information bubbles”)*

The Poles assume that it’s a continuation of the grain export dispute, but in fact it’s a separate thing, and there are some important differences. While the grain dispute directly affected only the huge companies and was fueled by politicians on both sides, this time it much more affects the ordinary Ukrainians. Every day, I see messages from my friends or well-known volunteers that the delivery of important supplies (such as Mavic drones, tactical medicine, components for FPV, used pickup trucks etc) is delayed. Meanwhile, the politicians are mostly silent on this issue (except for Krzysiek Bosak and his Ukrainian counterparts, of course).

The most important difference: previously, it was Andrzej Duda and Mateusz Morawiecki who represented Poland; the Ukrainians didn’t always agree with them, but at least their motives were well understood (the Polish government tried to help the local farmers – *even though Ukraine considered it a violation of the existing agreements*). Now Poland is represented by Krzysztof Bosak and Rafał Mekler (both are from “Konfederacja”), and you can imagine the level of discussion that is going on right now.

This dispute can do a lot of lasting damage in Poland<->Ukraine relationship, and most of the Poles are not even aware of it. I see a lot of angry Ukrainians on Twitter (not nationalists, not politicians – just regular Ukrainian activists and volunteers) who become more and more frustrated with Poles in general (because 95% of Poles they’re engaging on Twitter are incels from Konfederacja) and Ukrainians in Poland (who, according to the Ukrainians in Ukraine, are not doing nearly enough to resolve this issue). Meanwhile, in Poland this topic kind of… doesn’t exist? Everyone is talking about the new parliament and the government and is happy to see the center-left coalition winning. Whenever the situation on the border is brought up, it’s usually confused with the grain dispute and dismissed as something that is not relevant anymore.

To be honest, I’m not sure what could be done now to resolve this situation and keep it from further escalation. I don’t believe that PiS government will do anything right now (from their point of view, it would only make sense to pass this problem to Tusk government), and I don’t believe that Ukraine will agree to revert some parts of the EU<->Ukraine trade agreement (which is essentially what Mekler is trying to achieve, by bringing back the “quotas”).

P. S. Some Twitter threads with additional info:

in Polish: [https://twitter.com/DominikSerwacki/status/1727665362496274868](https://twitter.com/DominikSerwacki/status/1727665362496274868)

in Ukrainian: [https://twitter.com/sutsilnyirozlad/status/1727595723808522473](https://twitter.com/sutsilnyirozlad/status/1727595723808522473)

(P. P. S. If you’re a Ukrainian in Kraków, please consider donating/joining the local initiative for bringing food and warm clothes to the drivers stuck on the Polish side: [https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz5pY9TNvUz/?img\_index=1](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz5pY9TNvUz/?img_index=1) ; unfortunately, it’s in Ukrainian only, so you’ll have to use Google Translate)

by _vsv_

7 comments

  2. This issue, where it exists in Poland, is viewed simply: we are EU, it is our country, treat us fairly at the queue.

    The reason this isn’t a big issue in Poland is also simple – PiS lost and a new government is coming, it is a big shift no matter who you support. Plus after the treatment of Zelensky and Ukrainians with the grain deal, frankly Poland isn’t as sympathetic anymore. A huge amount of goodwill was lost.

  4. First sentence and is a lie… Big grain companies are in Ukraine in Poland farms and food production are mostly family owned businesses. Really small compared to Ukraine oligarchy farmlands.

    Ofc it can damage relationships. But those relationships were bad or neutral before war. No Ukraine’s effort to make them any better. Now it is war and Ukraine needs these relationships not Poland. Poland was doing great and is going to do great with or without Ukraine as a friend. Opposite? I don’t think so. Ofc I am talking about the government to the government not human to human relationships.

    Also… We give you what we can, you make shitstorm because instead of selling grain where they are supposed to go (Egipt, Africa) you sell it to Europe. Sort you shit out.

    Edit: we are aware of that. We just don’t give a fuck because as above. Ukraine needs Poland, not opposite way.

    Edit 2: there are no friendships in politics, just common business. Friendship was when polish CITIZENS (not government) take 1 milion of refugees under their roofs and sort them jobs and life. Remember gov to gov is not human to human.

    Edit 3: why do you close the road line for empty trucks coming back from Ukraine BEFORE protests start to be a thing? Hmmm?

  5. No offence we don’t care. I see a lot of young ukrainians (young men 16-24) on the internet insulting Poland, but they live here instead of fighting. We did a lot for you and in the end you choose Germany over us, so yeah. Fake friendship.

  6. >Now Poland is represented by Krzysztof Bosak and Rafał Mekler (both are from “Konfederacja”), and you can imagine the level of discussion that is going on right now.

    Not really. Just because they attached themselves to the protest doesn’t mean that: a) there is no social group with legitimate grievances; b) Ukraine has to negotiate with them directly. Any speculations about their motifs and Russian influence are completely moot and invalid to the teal issue.

    Frankly, all that’s needed is for Ukraine to negotiate with PiS AND let them have a small win, so it doesn’t look like they’re acting against Polish interests for the benefit of Ukraine (again). Same will apply to the new coalition govt.

    Unfortunately, there’s zero political will to give even an inch from your side (as usual), and you’ll see this Soviet tactic becoming more and more ineffective in the coming months (and not only in relations with Poland).

    The honeymoon era when politicians had to buckle under internal pressure and give in to every single one of Zelensky’s demands is over, and your govt needs to start compromising rather than hoping that bad PR will solve everything. As I’ve seen it written somewhere: *Ukraine has to start negotiating either with its partners, or with Russia*.

  7. it’s complicated issue and more and more i am leaning towards “Ukraine needs to start thinking before speaking and doing things”. i am very in favour of Ukraine winning the war, but behaviour of Ukrainian elites/oligarchs (and by proxy government and people) towards Poland is worse and worse by day.

    outside of us and Sweden to some degree, no country gave Ukraine military hardware straight from line units gutting out own army to the core, yet when we gave everything we had, we are the bad ones. did western europe gave you modern stuff? yeah, but when?

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