Poland's newly elected president Navrotsky opposed Ukraine's EU membership

Newly elected Polish President Karol Nawrocki has said that he does not support the idea of Ukraine joining the European Union. He said this in his first international interview after taking office - for the Hungarian conservative publication Mandiner.hu, which is close to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's political team.

When asked by the journalist about Ukraine's possible accelerated accession to the EU, Navrotsky said: "So far, I am against Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

He explained that despite the strategic and geopolitical need to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, any integration of Kiev must also take into account the interests of other countries in the region, including Poland and Hungary.

I consider the greatest threat to be the Russian Federation, a post-imperial state led by the war criminal Vladimir Putin. I strongly criticise Russia, and it is for this that a case was opened against me there when I was head of the Institute of National Remembrance in Poland. I am facing five years in prison. However, supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia should not mean automatic admission to the EU - especially if Kiev ignores the interests of its neighbours," he said.

Among Poland's cross-national priorities, Nawrocki cited the need to resolve historical issues, in particular the exhumation of victims of the Volyn tragedy, as well as the elimination of competition between the Polish and Ukrainian agricultural and logistics sectors.

During the campaign, I was against unfair competition from Ukraine with regard to our agriculture and transport sectors - and as president I will not agree with this either. Compromise and mutual understanding are necessary," he said.

In conclusion, he added that Ukraine, while showing heroism in resisting aggression, should still respect the interests of those countries that support it. Poland, he said, has done a lot for Ukrainians and now has the right to expect reciprocity and respect.