Poland's opposition party "Law and Justice" (PiS) found itself in a public scandal following a statement by its deputy chairman Przemyslaw Czarnek. On Monday, on TV Republika channel, he called on the European Union to stop financing weapons and reconstruction for Ukraine — until Kyiv "embarks on a path of pro-Ukrainian values." The trigger was Zelensky's decision in late May to name a military unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine after the "Heroes of the UPA."
The party chairman's reaction did not take long. As reported by Polish media outlet Wprost, Jaroslaw Kaczynski responded on social network X, essentially contradicting his deputy:
"Law and Justice stands and has always stood on the position that military aid to Ukraine — in particular through the EU — is unconditionally necessary. The matter of the deputy chairman's statement will be clarified by the party leadership."
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, X
In other words, Kaczynski not only failed to support Czarnek — he essentially issued him a public party reprimand without resorting to internal negotiations. This is unusual for a party that traditionally demonstrates discipline.
What's Happening Behind the Scenes
The conflict did not emerge in a vacuum. Tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv escalated after Poland's president Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle — in response to naming the military unit. Several influential Ukrainian politicians demonstratively returned Polish honors.
In this context, Kaczynski himself — although refusing to support a freeze on weapons — simultaneously sent a letter to fellow party members with a different threat: if PiS comes to power, the party will block Ukraine's accession to the EU until Kyiv renounces the "cult of Bandera" and the heroization of the OUN and UPA. As recorded by Polish media outlet Polsat News, he called Zelensky's decision "an incredibly brazen and contemptuous act."
Thus, Kaczynski's position looks as follows:
- Weapons — do not stop (difference from Czarnek)
- EU accession — block (his own escalation)
- Party discipline — restore publicly
Why This Is More Important Than Internal Squabbling
PiS is Poland's main opposition force and a real contender for a return to power. Its position on Ukraine will shape Polish foreign policy after the next elections. Czarnek has already submitted a draft resolution to the Sejm obligating the government to block Ukraine's European integration — and this is no longer rhetoric, but a legislative initiative.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded sarcastically, calling it all an "auction of anti-Ukrainian sentiment." But the real problem is not in statements: Polish public opinion on the UPA is unequivocally negative, and both camps — both the coalition and the opposition — feel this pressure from below.
As long as Kaczynski maintains the line "weapons — yes, EU — no," PiS is playing on two fronts simultaneously. If the party obtains a majority in the autumn Polish elections of 2027 — will this line remain unchanged, or will Czarnek prove to be not an outsider, but a harbinger of a new course?
