Poland's Tusk: Ukraine must mend ties, aid pledges need caution

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged Ukraine to take the initiative in repairing bilateral relations, warning that rebuilding trust requires goodwill from Kyiv. Tusk stated that good relations between the two countries are in everyone's interest and that it will no longer be the case that only Warsaw proposes a positive stance. This comes amid escalating tensions over historical disputes, particularly after Poland's President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle. The dispute arose when Kyiv named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), an organization linked to the World War II Volyn massacres. In response, Ukrainian officials returned their Polish honors, and Zelenskyy sent his medal back to Warsaw. Tusk also advised caution regarding further Ukraine aid pledges at the upcoming NATO summit, emphasizing Poland's significant responsibilities in defending the EU's eastern border. Allies are expected to collectively pledge 70 billion euros for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027.