US Ambassador Thomas Rose cut contact with Polish parliament marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty, citing “outrageous” remarks about President Trump that harmed US-Poland relations.
US Ambassador’s Diplomatic Break
US Ambassador in Warsaw Thomas Rose announced on Thursday he was severing contact with Marshal of the Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty. Rose stated on X that Czarzasty’s “outrageous and unjustified slurs against President Trump” became a “serious obstacle” to the “excellent relations” with Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government. “We will not allow anyone to harm Polish-American relations or show disrespect to Donald Trump, who has done so much for Poland and the Polish nation,” Rose added.
Czarzasty’s Stated Reasons
The American diplomat’s post was likely a reaction to Czarzasty’s Monday statement explaining his lack of support for US House of Representatives and Israeli Knesset initiatives awarding President Donald Trump the Nobel Peace Prize. “I will not support the Nobel for President Trump because he does not deserve it,” Czarzasty said, citing Trump’s destabilization of NATO, the EU, and the UN, and “breaking political principles, values, and often international law.”
On Wednesday, the marshal met Polish veterans in the Sejm and posted on X condemning recent remarks by the US President regarding NATO’s involvement in Afghanistan. “I unreservedly condemn Donald Trump’s words that offend and discredit the sacrifices of Polish veterans. Disregarding Polish heroes is unacceptable and requires a clear stance,” Czarzasty wrote.
Governing Coalition’s Defense
Politicians from the governing coalition, though initially cautious and reportedly “surprised,” eventually stood firmly behind Czarzasty. “Ambassador Rose, allies should respect each other, not lecture. At least that’s how we understand partnership in Poland,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X. Government spokesman Adam Szłapka, head of the Chancellery Marcin Kierwiński, and Deputy Marshal Monika Wielichowska supported this narrative, as did ministers associated with Lewica, sharing Czarzasty’s post. “Respect and consistency,” commented Minister of Family, Labour, and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk.
Leader Razem Adrian Zandberg, usually critical of Nowa Lewica, also voiced support: “Ambassador Rose seems confused about where he is stationed. Poland is an independent country, not a colony. The Sejm appoints and dismisses authorities; it doesn’t need instructions from a governor,” Zandberg stated on X. A diplomat involved in Polish diplomacy told Gazeta.pl: “Czarzasty went close to the band, but inside. Rose is way outside.” Poland 2050 MP Ewa Schädler distanced herself slightly on X, citing Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski’s point that supporting Trump for the Nobel would be reasonable if the war in Ukraine ended, as Ukraine’s security is Poland’s state interest.
Opposition’s Sharp Criticism
Heavily critical comments directed at Czarzasty poured in from the political right. “Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty not only struggles to explain his eastern business-social contacts, but also demolishes Polish-American relations. In PRL times, the United States was communists’ biggest enemy. Times changed, but the post-communist mentality of Czarzasty hasn’t. The ruling coalition chose such a Marshal, a man who doesn’t understand the importance of alliances,” President Karol Nawrocki’s spokesman Rafał Leśkiewicz wrote on X.
Law and Justice (PiS) politicians uniformly condemned Czarzasty. “Old love doesn’t rust. Everyone knows who the old commie Włodzimierz Czarzasty helps by damaging relations with the US. Anyone who supports him sabotages Poland’s security. Choose,” former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki posted. “Mr. Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Polish soldiers are one thing, and thoughtlessly offending the president of our most important ally is another. Therefore, your immediate resignation is necessary for Poland’s security,” commented former Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek. PiS MP Andrzej Śliwka stated in the Sejm: “This is a disgrace for Marshal Czarzasty, who took over three months to ruin relations with our key partner, the United States. The marshal should first maintain basic decency, not act like an amateur, not pursue his party’s interests, but look to the interests of the Republic.”
