Polish Leader Pledges to Accelerate Ukraine’s EU Membership Process During Presidency
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has vowed to use Poland’s presidency of the European Union to advance Ukraine’s EU membership bid, signaling a commitment to breaking the impasse in negotiations.
Tusk, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed a desire to accelerate the accession process. Poland’s EU presidency, which is rotating, grants it the authority to prioritize Ukraine’s membership aspirations on the EU agenda for the next six months.
Tusk’s announcement came after Ukraine and Poland reached an agreement to address the sensitive issue of Polish victims of World War II-era massacres in Ukraine, a matter that has long strained relations.
Zelenskyy’s visit to Poland further underscored the willingness of both sides to find common ground and move forward on historical reconciliation, despite the lingering bitterness among many Poles over the mass killings of their compatriots by Ukrainian nationalists during the war.
However, Tusk’s efforts are not just about strengthening EU ties with Ukraine. His government is also navigating domestic political pressures as Poland’s upcoming presidential election looms. With his party’s candidate facing a challenge from a nationalist opposition, Tusk is seeking to balance the pursuit of Ukraine’s EU ambitions with securing his political standing at home.
The complex historical backdrop, including the bitter memories of wartime atrocities, complicates this task, as Poland strives to manage its relations with both Ukraine and the wider European community.
