Poland summons Ukrainian envoy to protest Zelenskyy's remarks in UN General Assembly

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Poland summoned Ukraine's ambassador to Warsaw on Wednesday to protest President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks about a blockade of grain supplies to the EU during his speech to the UN General Assembly.

Ukraine's Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych was summoned to the Foreign Ministry over Zelenskyy's remarks about the blockade of grain supplies to the EU, the ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski conveyed a strong protest to the envoy, the ministry said.

"Pressure on Poland in multilateral forums or sending complaints to international tribunals are not appropriate methods of resolving disputes between the two countries," it added..

It noted that "these actions will not be effective against Poland, since the steps of the Polish government are aimed at protecting the interests of Polish farmers, comply with national law, EU law, and international law."

In a speech to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 19, Zelenskyy said, "It is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in political theater, making thriller from the grain," a likely reference to Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia's restrictions on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products.

On Sept.15, the European Commission did not extend the embargo on the supply of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine.

Following that, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia announced a unilateral ban on grain imports from Ukraine.

In response, Kyiv has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, commenting on the sharp reaction urged Kyiv to remember that weapons and humanitarian aid are being transited to Ukraine through Poland.