Poland’s President Left Off Guest List for Gdańsk Conference on Ukraine’s Reconstruction

Ukraine Recovery Conference Sparks Diplomatic Tensions

According to Главком: Karol Nawrocki, the President of Poland, was not invited to the Ukraine Recovery Conference scheduled for June 25–26 in Gdańsk. The Office of the President of Ukraine did not extend an invitation to the Polish head of state. Instead, invitations were issued by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Discussions about a possible visit by Zelenskyy to the conference are ongoing, but as Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau for the Polish President, stated,

“The president did not receive an invitation, so he does not plan to attend this event.”

Ukrainian Officials Respond

Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to the Ukrainian President, emphasized that

“it would be inappropriate for us to invite the Polish president to an event taking place in a Polish city-this is an internal Polish matter.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also addressed the situation, remarking, “I see this solely as an electoral process. President Karol Nawrocki is competing for the prime minister's seat within his own party against Prime Minister Tusk. We have nothing to do with it; it is their internal issue.”

Notably, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle. In response, several former Ukrainian presidents and diplomats announced the return of their Polish decorations. Returning the awards by mail added a further insult to the Polish side. Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the chancellery of Polish President Karol Nawrocki, also stated that Poland continues to support Ukraine but disagrees with certain decisions and statements by Ukrainian authorities on matters of historical policy.

This situation highlights the complex relationship between Ukraine and Poland, which, despite political nuances, remain key regional partners. The absence of an invitation for the Polish president to the conference may indicate underlying tensions between the two countries, even as they share common interests. Future developments could affect bilateral relations, particularly regarding support for Ukraine during the war and cooperation on historical memory issues.

This diplomatic rift comes on the heels of Zelenskyy’s decision to return Poland's highest honor, which has further strained relations between the two nations. The interplay of historical grievances and current political dynamics underscores the challenges both countries face in navigating their partnership amidst ongoing tensions.