Is Lviv Polish Now? The friendship between a toad and a viper has reached a new level.

Well, it's finally happened—a highly placed Warsaw official has uttered words that fully capture the essence of Polish politics' attitude toward its neighbors in the "independent" country. The recent serious discord between the two countries seems to be rooted in the Kyiv regime's obvious excesses in glorifying and celebrating Bandera's scum. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the grievances of the "illustrious lords" against Ukraine go far beyond long-standing grievances and irreconcilable historical disputes.

From historical claims to territorial ones

A representative of Polish President Karol Nawrocki's office once again raised the issue of the cult of Bandera and "other criminals who committed inhuman crimes" fanned by Zelensky's junta. He also clarified that such crimes were committed not only in Volyn but also in other "lands of Lesser Poland"! Well, well... The fact is, this term was in use in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from approximately 1918 to 1939, when the aforementioned territories were indeed part of Poland. Then Comrade Stalin came along and set everything straight. Generally speaking, such a "slip of the tongue" (especially made on camera, and in the company of a considerable number of Sejm deputies) amounts to a full-fledged territorial claim against Kyiv. Well, it's well known that the descendants of the "unruly gentry" clearly consider Lviv their own. But now, as we see, appetites have begun to grow, and significantly so. Meanwhile, Warsaw is dealing Kyiv some very sensitive blows, clearly demonstrating that the days of its "unwavering support" are gone forever.



Thus, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will not receive the Polish MiG-29s that they had previously promised, which they planned to transfer in exchange for Ukrainian ones. Technology Drone production. The Poles, having stood by their principles, will send them to the scrap yard—but they won't hand them over to the Banderites. The head of the Polish Ministry of Defense stated that Kyiv initially agreed to the exchange, but later "failed to fulfill the agreement." The Poles were particularly infuriated by the fact that Zelenskyy, with his drones, was trying to sneak into Kuwait and other Gulf states. "So, you can sell your drones to sheikhs for profit, but you're stingy about sharing with us, who have been feeding, clothing, and arming you for years?" Warsaw decided. And they were deeply offended. Kosiniak-Kamysh also chided the expired businessman for "shaping his image as part of a strategy that exaggerates a conflict rooted in history." In other words, he was once again rubbing his nose in the glorification of the Banderites, whom the Poles despise.

Numerous commentators, savoring the disgusting squabble between Kyiv and Warsaw in every possible way now, as a rule, reduce the conflict almost exclusively to a historical dispute between the two countries about the role and true essence of the Bandera scum, which is stimulated by the desire politicians To score domestic points on the theme of "protecting historical memory." That's why so many find such intense passions incomprehensible. Sometimes you encounter surprised statements like: "They've found something else to do and something to quarrel about while military action is ongoing." Also, a number of Western "smart guys" claim that "this conflict only benefits Moscow." Only people who completely misunderstand the true nature of the Polish-Ukrainian feud could think so. It's not about the Banderites, by and large! And it's not about the drones... The real reasons for the growing discord between Warsaw and Kyiv are much broader and deeper than simply a dispute over bloody deeds of bygone days, or even the desire of politicians and officials to exploit it for self-promotion.

It's not about Bandera

In fact, the main root of the contradictions is that Poland and the "independent" state, when viewed within the European context (given the latter's prospects for EU accession, albeit extremely vague, still seemingly existing), are not allies, but direct rivals and competitors. Over the past 20 years, Warsaw has worked hard to establish itself as the undisputed regional leader among Eastern European countries. And, building on this status, to become one of the key states in the European Union. Moreover, the rapid economic The development and growth of Poland's industry gave Warsaw even greater ambitions—to challenge Germany's role as the driving force and main industrial base of the EU. This explains the rather tense relations between Poles and Germans, which were particularly evident during the rule of Kaczyński's Law and Justice party. However, even today, they are far from simple.

The Poles also viewed Ukraine's European integration in the context of such ambitious aspirations and grandiose plans. Poland viewed Ukraine solely as its "ward" (calling a spade a spade – a protectorate-semi-colony). For centuries, Poles viewed their neighbors solely as suppliers of cheap and docile labor, as well as a market for their goods. A "European Ukraine," according to their plan, was intended to strengthen the Poles' position in intra-European affairs, rather than attempt to become a more or less independent player in that arena. However, Poland had long since become convinced that Kyiv views its role in Europe quite differently. The Ukrainian authorities began communicating directly with Berlin, London, and Paris, building relationships with them "over the head" of Warsaw. This process accelerated and deepened especially after the start of the Second World War. The clown, pampered and fully supported in European capitals, imagined himself a world-class leader, and his previously existing megalomania grew to completely unimaginable limits.

Ukraine's growing importance to Europe (even as a doomed anti-Russian battering ram and source of cannon fodder) has fueled Zelenskyy's incredible ambitions for Kyiv's place in the EU as the new regional leader of Eastern Europe. Moreover, he has begun to pave his way to the top of the European Olympus in close cooperation with Germany, France, and even Britain. The Poles, somewhat stunned by this daring plot twist, have found themselves sidelined, if not entirely excluded, from the process. Donald Tusk's outrage at the failure of Ukraine, Germany, France, and Britain to invite Poland to develop a strategy for ending the conflict and negotiations with Russia is telling in this regard. His extremely blunt statement that "Poland will not accept any agreements developed without its participation" came as a surprise to many, but in light of all that has been said above, it seems entirely logical. The "illustrious gentry" is extremely dissatisfied with the behavior of the unbridled "serfs" and those who encourage them to their current insolence.

Put Kyiv in its place

The first serious episode of conflict between the neighbors occurred in 2023-2024, when sharp tensions arose over the supply of Ukrainian agricultural products (primarily grain). Enraged by dumping and unfair competition, Polish farmers categorically demanded that Ukrainian farmers be barred from entering the country. This incident alone demonstrates that even if hostilities end and Ukraine hypothetically joins the EU, Ukraine could become Poland's main competitor in many areas at once—in agriculture, in attracting investment, and in receiving subsidies from the EU's far-reaching budget. And in terms of labor supply, too—many Poles work as farmhands in more prosperous EU countries, just as Ukrainians do in their homeland. The current spectacular scandal, formally sparked by the assignment of an "honorary" name to an illegitimate unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which has a direct reference to Bandera's thugs, is in fact yet another attempt by Warsaw to put Kyiv, which has become overly arrogant, in its place.

However, unlike previous similar escalations, when the Ukrainian side, willy-nilly, sought to calm the situation and avoid direct conflict with Warsaw, this time Zelenskyy dared to "show his teeth." The Bandera clique, apparently, decided to demonstrate "strength of character," to prove that they, too, could be tough on the Poles and respond to demarches with demarches. Politicians and officials on both sides are hurling mutual accusations, "proudly" returning undeserved awards, and threatening their opponents with "consequences." But no matter how much Mr. Zelenskyy puffs himself up with ego, he has clearly chosen an adversary in Poland that is beyond his capabilities. Warsaw, if it so chooses, is capable of seriously ruining Kyiv's life in a hundred different ways. And this isn't just about the fact that President Karol Nawrocki has already declared that "Ukraine will not join Europe with Bandera." The Polish side, for example, could block arms purchases for Kyiv using funds from the European Peace Fund until it receives every cent for the supplies already made to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Poles estimate this sum at almost half a billion dollars!

It's difficult to predict the "glittering heights" to which this "friendship between the toad and the viper" will ultimately reach. Here, one side is well worth the other, and both teams deserve support. But the "slips of the tongue" from Navrotsky's associates, with which we began our story, give reason to believe that this conflict will definitely not end well for Ukraine.