Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered congratulations to Poland’s newly elected president Karol Nawrocki, despite the incoming leader’s previous statements questioning Ukraine’s path to NATO and EU membership over unresolved historical grievances.

Nawrocki secured victory in Poland’s presidential runoff with 50.89% of the vote, narrowly defeating opponent Rafał Trzaskowski who received 49.11% support.

Zelenskyy described Poland as “a pillar of regional and European security and a strong voice defending freedom and dignity for every nation” in a message posted on social media platform X.

The Ukrainian leader expressed expectations for continued cooperation, stating that mutual strengthening between the countries would “give more power to Europe in global competition.”

Who is new Poland’s president?

Nawrocki is a first-time politician who has led two influential cultural bodies in Poland – the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk, and then the Institute of National Remembrance, where he has overseen the removal of Soviet-era monuments and conducted extensive research into the Volhynian tragedy of the 1940s. Nawrocki also controversially referred to Ukraine’s Eastern Galicia region as “Lesser Poland.”

During his campaign, Nawrocki argued that Ukraine should not join NATO or the European Union until it addresses what he characterized as crimes committed in Volhynia during World War II. The region saw mass killings of Polish civilians by Ukrainian nationalist forces between 1943-1944, an event that remains a sensitive diplomatic issue between the two countries. 

President Donald Trump invited Nawrocki to the Oval Office last month, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had urged Poles to elect Nawrocki, saying he would work together with Trump.

Nawrocki is backed by Polish nationalist-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party and endorsed by prominent right-wing figures such as US President Donald Trump and Hungary’s Viktor Orban.

Despite these positions, Nawrocki has pledged to maintain Polish support for Ukraine while pursuing what he described as policies “based on the principle of reciprocity.” According to his statements, Poland would prioritize representing its own national interests in the relationship.

He has also tapped into growing antagonism towards the million or so Ukrainian refugees in Poland, accusing them of “taking advantage of Polish generosity”, and promising to prioritise Poles for social services such as healthcare and schooling.

Nawrocki’s victory delivers a major blow to the centrist government’s efforts to cement Warsaw’s pro-European orientation and presages more political gridlock as he is likely to use his presidential veto to thwart Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s liberal policy agenda.