Ukraine's President Zelensky Shows Gratitude and Strength in Poland Amidst Strained Relations and Strategic Milestone

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky made a stopover in Poland on Saturday to award two Polish volunteers with state awards. However, his visit did not involve any meetings with officials due to strained relations between the two countries, particularly over the issue of grain imports. Poland recently decided to extend a ban on Ukrainian grain imports, which has affected Ukraine's relationship with one of its staunchest allies.

The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party in Poland has been criticized by the far right for what they perceive as a subservient attitude towards Ukraine. During his visit, Zelensky took the opportunity to show his gratitude to the Polish people, thanking them for their support. He awarded Bianka Zalewska, a journalist who helped transport wounded children to Polish hospitals, and Damian Duda, who gathered a medical team to assist wounded soldiers near the front line. Zelensky expressed his appreciation for all the Poles who opened their homes and helped during the ongoing conflict.

In a separate development, Ukrainian forces have been using Western-supplied heavy weaponry, including Polish-made Krab guns and US-made M109 self-propelled howitzers, in the intense battle at the outskirts of Bakhmut, which was seized by Russia in May. Ukrainian commanders praised the effectiveness of these weapons, stating that they have been significantly impacting the enemy's positions. They mentioned that even just one gun can completely turn the situation around and stop the enemy in their tracks. The recent capture of the key village of Klishchiivka by Ukrainian troops has been seen as a strategic milestone in their efforts to reclaim Bakhmut.

Ukrainian commanders have described it as a substantial advancement in their counteroffensive, which began in June. Despite some Western criticism suggesting that the counteroffensive is progressing too slowly, President Zelensky and senior officials have celebrated the progress and remain determined to reclaim occupied territories. Overall, while Ukraine's relations with Poland may be strained over grain imports, Zelensky's visit and the use of Western-supplied heavy weaponry demonstrate the country's gratitude for international support and its determination to push back against Russian aggression.