Talking to commercial Radio ZET on Friday, the former chief of the prime minister’s office, Michał Dworczyk, expressed a sense of personal and national dissatisfaction with how the crisis in the first months after the Russian aggression on Ukraine was managed by the Polish authorities.
“In some ways, yes, Ukraine deceived us, but it’s difficult to blame them, as every country seeks to advance its interests. I feel a sense of dissatisfaction that we did not fully capitalize on the opportunity before us,” he said, also admitting his personal regrets about how he handled the situation.
Dworczyk clarified that he was not in charge of strategic decisions but influenced many others, admitting that his criticism was also directed towards himself. He believed Poland was perhaps too naive and too accommodating towards their Ukrainian counterparts in several instances.
“In some cases, we may have treated our Ukrainian friends too much as partners,” said the PiS politician.
Dworczyk commented as well on Ukraine’s recent decision to halt consular services for draft-age men, which has caused significant discontent among Ukrainians residing in Poland. He explained that in every war, some individuals seek to escape their duties using their socioeconomic status.
“Every citizen has duties towards their country. Many young Ukrainians have left Ukraine, breaking the law. Such individuals should be under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian state,” he stated.
Regarding enforcement, Dworczyk suggested that an agreement between the Polish and Ukrainian governments is needed to clarify expectations and establish a cooperative framework that aligns with legal standards.
