Polish politics overshadowed by a sense of 'Ukraine fatigue'

The Polish government's change in attitude towards Ukraine has been surprising. Previously, Poland had strongly supported Ukraine in its battle against Russia, providing military aid and equipment. However, there is now a different tone coming from Warsaw, with hints that Ukraine should be grateful for Polish support. The Polish Prime Minister even warned about ending weapons transfers, although others in his party tried to soften the message. The Polish President's comments comparing Ukraine to a drowning man were seized upon by Moscow. This shift in relations between the two countries originated from an unresolved dispute over grain imports. Ukraine needs to export its harvest and relies on land routes since Russian attacks on ports have made them inaccessible. However, Poland wants to protect its own farmers and does not want Ukrainian grain to flood the domestic market. The governing Law and Justice party in Poland is using this issue to secure votes from farmers. While Kyiv is angry about the situation, the airwaves and social media platforms in Poland are filled with election talk, and the language used is increasingly vicious. The PiS party wants to position itself as the defender of Polish interests, hence the change in how it is assisting Ukraine. The sentiment among the conservative electorate is a major concern for PiS, as it tries to attract voters from the far-right Konfederacja party. The shadow of "Ukraine fatigue" also looms over election campaigns in other countries, posing a serious threat to Ukraine, which needs steadfast Western support against Russian forces. Nevertheless, the Polish government assures that international aid will continue to flow to Ukraine's frontlines, and discussions about the grain dispute are ongoing. Efforts are being made to prevent the war of words from escalating into a crisis, but some believe that the damage has already been done.