Polish President Maciej Nawrocki faced sharp criticism from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zacharowa during the 80th UN General Assembly, after revelations of his controversial remarks and supposed nicotine use.
Nawrocki Discusses Piłsudski
On 29 September, Polish President Maciej Nawrocki interviewed Radio ZET and spoke about his life at Belweder Palace, while referencing Marshal Józef Piłsudski. He recalled the 1920 Polish‑Bolshevik war and discussed the current international situation following an attack by the Russian Federation, indicating that “Piłsudski changed his views.”
Zacharowa Touts Criticisms
On 30 September, Russian media spokesperson Maria Zacharowa responded to Nawrocki’s comments, accusing the Polish president of using “unknown substances” during the UN General Assembly. She invoked the story of the Russian folk hero Ivan Susanin, who allegedly led Polish troops into the swamps in 1612 and was subsequently killed, to portray Nawrocki’s actions as reckless.
UN Footage of Nicotine Bag
Video clips circulated showing Nawrocki taking nicotine pouches (snus) at the UN’s 80th General Assembly. During an interview with Radio ZET, he criticized the smokes habits of delegates and framed the use of nicotine pouches as the most controversial among them.