President-elect Karol Nawrocki spoke by phone with Volodymyr Zelensky. Important words were said about the future of cooperation and unresolved historical issues.
President-elect Karol Nawrocki Talks with Zelensky
At the initiative of the President of Ukraine, a phone call with President-elect Karol Nawrocki took place on 31 July. Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the Pole on his election victory and stressed Poland’s role as a key regional partner and a pillar of Europe’s security. According to a statement from the President-elect’s chancellery, the conversation was cordial but focused on substantive aspects of cooperation.
A New Model of Cooperation: Partnership and Respect
Nawrocki noted that the future of Polish-Ukrainian relations should be based on mutual respect and genuine partnership. He recalled that Poland, being one of Ukraine’s main allies, will not leave it alone in the face of Russian aggression. At the same time, he strongly emphasized that such cooperation requires honest dialogue and the fulfilment of certain conditions, as well as settling important issues from the past. This is a step towards a more partnership-based model of relations, with examples including agreements on military and humanitarian support, and the participation of Polish companies in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Ukraine Can Count on Poland's Support
- Poland has already allocated more than 25 billion euros in aid to Ukraine – humanitarian, military and for refugees.
- 993 thousand Ukrainian citizens hold a special PESEL number in Poland, entitling them among other things to benefits and education.
- Systemic support takes various forms: from grant organisations to infrastructure support and temporary protection for refugees (extended until 2026).
Historical Policy – A Topic for Urgent Talks
Karol Nawrocki does not shy away from difficult questions. During the conversation, he stressed that resolving long-neglected historical issues is a condition for social trust in Poland towards future, deeper cooperation with Ukraine. The President-elect unequivocally declared that he will demand from Ukraine, among other things, steps regarding the policy of commemorating victims and exhumations in Volhynia. These topics are meant to become a permanent element of Polish-Ukrainian dialogue at the highest level.
Nawrocki's Priorities in Polish-Ukrainian Relations
- Mutual respect and partnership – an end to a relationship based on one-sided expectations.
- Support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression – but not at any cost.
- Resolving fundamental historical disputes, with Volhynia at the forefront.
- Maintaining Polish economic and social interests.
- Deepening infrastructure and business cooperation on the basis of transparency.
An Example of a New Tone in Relations: What Could It Mean?
A change in the President-elect’s approach is noticeable – Poland does not intend to play the role of an “elder brother” or a “helper without expectations”. The extended hand of cooperation goes hand in hand with clear conditions. For example: the willingness to invest in Ukraine’s reconstruction is to go hand in hand with access for Polish companies to the Ukrainian market and real influence over the shape of agreements supporting Polish business.
The phone call between Nawrocki and Zelensky set new directions in Polish-Ukrainian relations. Poland will continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal aggression, but expects respect, partnership and readiness to confront a shared, difficult past.
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