Ukraine and Poland strengthen an emerging ‘special relationship’ despite commercial concerns

Poland and Ukraine are forging a closer alliance, Radio Free Europe reports. The relationship was on full display this week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to Warsaw and the signing of several agreements that would aid Ukraine’s defense industry and infrastructure. 

Increasing political pressure over grain imports from Ukraine is complicating the relationship, however. Just before Zelenskiy’s visit, Poland’s agricultural minister resigned amid intensifying protests by farmers and claims that Ukraine is dumping grain on Poland’s market.

The farmers, who have been a key supporter for the ruling Law and Justice party, claim that Ukrainian grain ends up flooding the Polish market and depressing local prices instead of passing through to other destinations, and that it is mixed with Polish grain without any quality checks.