Polish minister criticizes Zelensky for 'short memory'
3 Min Read
Zelensky formerly criticized Poland for not providing him with MiG fighters and refusing to intercept Russian missiles over Western Ukraine.
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Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz attends the swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw, Poland on December 13, 2023. (AP)
Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland's defense minister, has chastised Kiev authorities for having "short memories," in response to Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky's assertions that Poland isn't doing enough to help the country fight Russia.
In October, Zelensky accused NATO member countries, particularly Poland, of failing to provide promised MiG fighters and refusing to intercept Russian missiles over western Ukraine.
Polish officials contended that the jets were needed for the country's own defense, accusing Zelensky of attempting to drag Poland into the war.
In an interview with local TVN24 on Thursday, Kosiniak-Kamysz said he discussed the situation with NATO commander Mark Rutte, emphasizing "how much Poland has already done and how greatly it has helped Ukraine."
He alluded to Zelensky's remarks and noted that it appears Ukrainians have a "short memory," regarding Poland's support, adding that "Poland has done and continues to do everything possible."
However, the defense chief stated that the help may only be delivered within "certain limits" and must not be detrimental to the country's national interests.
If the support endangers the security of Poland, "I simply will not do it," he said, emphasizing that Poland has its defense policy and "raison d'état."
Warsaw has been one of Ukraine's most important allies, providing armored vehicles, artillery systems, and "the maximum number" of MiG-29 fighters, he added. The decision to retain the surviving fleet stems from NATO's delay in replacing them with F-35 fighter planes, which are not expected to arrive until at least 2026.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has previously stated that Warsaw "has done more for Ukraine than any other country."
Never enough for Zelensky
Despite this support, Zelensky's leadership has been characterized by diplomatic tensions with other nations and leaders, not to mention deep corruption within the Ukrainian military.
For months, Ukraine has voiced frustrations over delays in its bid to join NATO, and while reports of corruption have been regularly documented, Ukrainian officials argue that these issues should not impede their NATO aspirations.
Although Zelensky has sometimes expressed gratitude for the billions in Western support he has received, his emotional outbursts demanding the West do even more have never ceased.
During his campaign, Donald Trump criticized Zelensky's relationship with the Biden administration, labeling him "the greatest salesman in history" for securing billions in aid from President Joe Biden's administration.
The US has since the outbreak of the war in 2022 been Ukraine's largest donor, with Congress allocating tens of billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid. Moscow has consistently condemned this support, arguing that it prolongs the conflict and will not alter the outcome.
In addition, Zelensky recently criticized a recent phone call between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it a "Pandora's box" that undermines international efforts to isolate the Russian leader.
"This is exactly what Putin has been wanting for a long time: it is extremely important for him to weaken his isolation," Zelensky stated, warning that the call risks giving Russia a foothold in negotiations that he claims may yield little progress.
