Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the change in flight route of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the United Kingdom. Instead of the usual transit through Rzeszów Airport, the head of the Ukrainian state chose a route via Chișinău. This decision raised questions about possible political reasons, however, Tusk categorically refuted the version about the closure of the Polish airport.
"I will not tell him how to fly"
In an interview with Polish media — RMF24 and Rzeczpospolita — the Prime Minister emphasized that Rzeszów remains open and accessible to everyone. "President Zelenskyy is using other options than Rzeszów, and that's it. I will not tell him where and how he should fly," Tusk stated. He directly rejected the assumption that the Polish side could have blocked the airport to influence Kyiv's decision regarding the honorary name of the Ukrainian Armed Forces unit "named after the Heroes of the UPA".
Poland does not recognize agreements without its participation
Separately, Tusk touched upon the topic of Poland's absence at Zelenskyy's meeting with the leaders of the "E3" countries — the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. According to him, Warsaw is an "absolutely irreplaceable link" in negotiations about the future of Ukraine and regional security. "We will not recognize agreements in which Poland does not participate," the Prime Minister emphasized.
He also announced the organization of a new meeting in the format of a "quintet" — with the participation of Poland, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Tusk noted that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also "not thrilled about the existence of a format like E3".
Gdańsk awaits everyone who comes
Despite the tension, Tusk confirmed that he will be waiting for Zelenskyy at the International Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Gdańsk on June 25–26. "So I am not expecting any confirmation here. We, quite obviously, will welcome in Gdańsk those who come: companies, business. This is in the interests of both Ukraine and Poland," he said.
The conflict benefits Moscow, but the EU must not suffer
Against the backdrop of the UPA scandal, Tusk previously called on Zelenskyy and Polish President Karol Nawrocki to hold direct negotiations, emphasizing that the conflict between the two countries benefits only Moscow. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, in turn, spoke against the idea of depriving Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, reminding that this order is still held by former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder — a person who, according to Sikorski, "takes money from Putin".
The European Commission stated that the bilateral conflict between Ukraine and Poland should not affect Kyiv's path to European integration. The first negotiation cluster with Ukraine is planned to open as early as June 15. Tusk, for his part, promised not to trade support for Ukraine on its path to the EU due to the UPA scandal, however, he emphasized that this support would have conditions — "European, safe, and beneficial for Poland".