Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for an emergency meeting this week to address the escalating border blockade by Polish farmers. Tusk, speaking at a press conference, mentioned an upcoming meeting of the Polish and Ukrainian governments scheduled for March 28 in Warsaw, which had been agreed upon while he was in Kyiv. The protests by Polish farmers against imports of produce from Ukraine have strained relations between the two allies, with Ukrainian leaders expressing shock at the extent of the blockade.

Tusk reiterated his government's commitment to protecting the interests of Polish farmers and agricultural producers, citing Poland's longstanding support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The Prime Minister expressed a willingness to find a compromise with the protesting farmers to resolve the situation and emphasized the importance of supporting Polish farmers amidst the trade tensions.

The Polish Foreign Ministry voiced concern over some protesting farmers displaying support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, attributing the actions to Russian collaborators and calling for solidarity with Ukraine. Talks between Polish and Ukrainian Agriculture Ministers on establishing a licensing mechanism for Ukrainian food imports were described as challenging by the Polish Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski.

In response to disruptions in military transport reported at the border, Tusk pledged to take urgent measures to ensure the timely delivery of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He announced plans to designate additional border crossings and infrastructure to facilitate the smooth passage of aid shipments.

Following escalating tensions at the border, the rejection of the emergency meeting request by Tusk underscores the complexity of the situation between Poland and Ukraine as they navigate the ongoing blockade crisis and seek to find a resolution to the trade dispute.