**Poland’s Presidential Rivals Clash Over Ukraine in Debate**
In a heated debate on May 23, Poland’s two presidential candidates, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and historian Karol Nawrocki, disagreed over the country’s relationship with Ukraine. The debate took place just one week before Poles head to the polls for the June 1 runoff.
Nawrocki, who is backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, claimed that President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine “treats Poland badly.” He also defended his criticism of Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, saying that he speaks on behalf of the Polish people. Nawrocki has signed an eight-point declaration that includes a pledge to block Ukraine’s accession to NATO in order to gain support from far-right politician Slawomir Mentzen.
Trzaskowski, who is backed by the ruling coalition and narrowly led the first round with 31.4% of the vote, accused Nawrocki of echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s views on NATO and Ukraine. Trzaskowski said that Nawrocki was using “Putin’s language” and that it was a tactic to appeal to far-right voters.
**The Kremlin Connection**
The debate highlighted the complex relationship between Poland and Ukraine, as well as the influence of Russia in the region. The Kremlin has long cited NATO expansion as a pretext for its aggressive behavior towards neighboring countries. In particular, a ban on Ukraine joining NATO is one of the main demands made by Russia to conclude a potential peace agreement to end the war it started in Ukraine.
**The Stakes are High**
While the Polish presidency is largely ceremonial, it has veto power – a critical check on the government. With the ruling coalition lacking a three-fifths majority in parliament to override presidential vetoes, the outcome of the June 1 vote will shape the pace and direction of key domestic reforms.
**A Turning Point for Polish Politics**
The debate marked one of the last major televised showdowns before the June 1 runoff, in which voters will choose between Trzaskowski and Nawrocki. The result of this election will have significant implications for Poland’s politics and its relationship with Ukraine and NATO.
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