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On Wednesday evening, Ukraine received bad news from the Polish government: “We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are equipping ourselves with the most modern weapons,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (55) said in an interview with the broadcaster Polsat. Blick answers the most pressing questions about the turning point on the ‘anti-Putin front’.
1
What is the reason for the supply stop?
Morawiecki explained that Poland had greatly expanded its orders for military equipment: “If you don’t want to defend yourself, you must have something with which you can defend yourself – we are committed to this rule.” The armed forces must be modernized so that Poland will have one of the strongest land armies in Europe, Morawiecki said.
Self-protection is therefore the official reason for the delivery stop. However, several Polish news portals, including the English-language service of the state news agency PAP, interpreted Morawiecki’s statement as a signal that Poland would stop supplying weapons to Ukraine in light of the grain conflict.
However, during the TV interview there was confusion about whether Poland would actually completely stop supplying weapons to Ukraine. The Polish government left unanswered a request for clarification from the German news agency.
2
What is the grain dispute about?
The grain conflict between Poland and Ukraine escalated enormously in September. Because Poland – together with Hungary and Slovakia – has imposed its own export ban on Ukrainian grain. Much to the annoyance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky (45).
There has been a crisis between the two allies for some time: the countries convened each other’s ambassadors in August. And the foreign policy adviser to Polish President Andrzej Duda (51), Marcin Przydacz (38), said on television in early August: “Ukraine should start to appreciate what Poland has done for them.”
3
What would a Polish delivery stop mean?
A supply stop would be fatal. Poland is the second largest donor of arms and military equipment to Ukraine, after the United States, and the third largest donor of military aid, after the United States and the United Kingdom. Poland, which shares an eastern border with Ukraine, pledged military aid worth 2.4 billion euros last year, according to the Kiel Institute.
Poland’s announcement is bad news for Ukraine, military expert Carlo Masala, professor at the Bundeswehr University in Munich, told ‘Bild’: ‘It creates a catastrophic appearance to the outside world when one of Ukraine’s main supporting states announces this .’
4
Are there other countries planning a weapons ban?
So far, no other country has announced a gun ban. However, Slovakia – another key ally of Ukraine – could see its aid cut. The reason is the increasing pro-Russian mood, which is likely to have an impact on the September 30 elections.
A Globsec survey showed in June that anti-Western attitudes in Slovakia have increased the most in Europe. 76 percent are against EU sanctions against Russia, 69 percent reject military aid to Ukraine. Whether Ukraine will actually lose another ally remains to be seen.
5
Is the ‘anti-Putin front’ now crumbling?
It is Russia’s great hope: that Western unity crumbles, that cracks appear in the ‘anti-Putin front’. With the dispute between Poland and Ukraine and the cautious enthusiasm for Ukrainian concerns in the UN General Assembly, Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (70) seems to have come a little closer to this goal.
However, the question remains whether there will actually be a rift that could benefit Russia and disadvantage Ukraine. Most Western countries still support Ukraine and have not yet announced an end to their support.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
