Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, navigating Poland's complex role as both Ukraine's strongest European champion and a nation managing growing domestic tensions over support for its eastern neighbor.
The visit, confirmed by Poland's government, comes at a delicate moment as Warsaw works to balance its unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty against domestic political pressures and evolving European Union dynamics.
Poland has emerged as Ukraine's most important European ally since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, providing billions of dollars in military equipment, hosting more than a million Ukrainian refugees, and serving as the primary logistics corridor for Western weapons shipments to the front lines.
But the relationship has faced strains, particularly over agricultural trade disputes that have inflamed Polish farmers and created political challenges for Tusk's coalition government. The former Law and Justice (PiS) government temporarily banned Ukrainian grain imports last year, a move that highlighted the tensions between solidarity and economic self-interest.
Tusk's visit is expected to address security cooperation and EU integration, according to government sources in Warsaw. Poland has been a leading advocate for Ukraine's eventual membership in the European Union and NATO, positions that align with Tusk's broader pro-European orientation but require careful management of domestic opinion.
In Poland, as across Central Europe, history is never far from the surface—and neither is the memory of occupation. Polish support for Ukraine draws on deep historical connections and shared experiences of Russian imperialism, but also carries the weight of complicated bilateral history including wartime atrocities that remain sensitive topics in both countries.
The meeting comes days after Tusk successfully navigated difficult negotiations in Brussels over Poland's access to EU recovery funds, which had been frozen during the previous government's rule-of-law conflicts with European institutions. His administration has worked to repair Poland's standing in the EU while maintaining strong transatlantic ties and robust support for Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials view Poland as essential to maintaining European support for their war effort, particularly as some Western European nations show signs of fatigue over sustained military assistance. Warsaw's geographic position and political commitment make it indispensable to Ukraine's supply lines.
But Tusk faces political pressure at home from both left and right. The opposition PiS party has sought to outflank him on Ukrainian support while simultaneously exploiting farmer grievances, while some coalition partners question the costs Poland continues to bear.
The Polish leader is expected to discuss border security cooperation and joint defense industrial projects during the visit, according to diplomatic sources. Poland has committed to providing Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets and other military equipment, making it one of the largest European contributors of weapons.
Tusk's government has also taken a harder line on Belarus, which borders both Poland and Ukraine and serves as a staging ground for Russian forces. Warsaw has reinforced its eastern border with thousands of troops and constructed barriers to prevent illegal crossings orchestrated by Minsk.
The Kyiv meeting underscores Poland's continuing centrality to European security architecture and its unique position as the geographical and political link between Ukraine and the West—a role that brings both strategic importance and considerable domestic complexity.
