Kaczyński Calls for Blocking Ukraine’s EU Accession Talks

PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński has announced his intention to return a Ukrainian state honor and urged the Polish government to begin blocking Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations until specific historical conditions are met.

Returning the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise

Jarosław Kaczyński declared he will return his Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, a high-ranking Ukrainian state award granted by President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2022. He characterized this move as an expression of his stance toward the Ukrainian political elite and an act of loyalty toward the Polish president.

Accusations Against the Mayor of Lviv

Kaczyński labeled the Mayor of Lviv a “Banderite,” asserting that his presence at a reconstruction conference in Gdańsk demonstrates a disregard for Polish interests. He further criticized the mayor for alleged payment disputes involving a Polish company.

Conditions for EU Integration

The PiS chairman argued that Poland should begin blocking clusters of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations. He stated that Poland’s support for Ukraine’s war effort remains a strategic interest, but maintained that Ukraine must address the Volhynia massacre, conduct exhumations, and offer an official apology to be considered a “normal European country.”

Conflict Escalation Concerns

During his conference, Kaczyński expressed frustration over the current trajectory of Polish-Ukrainian relations. He claimed the conflict is being aggressively escalated by the Ukrainian side, though he declined to elaborate on the specific reasons for this assessment.