Amid the diplomatic dispute between Warsaw and Kyiv, a new chapter unfolds in the eventful history of relations between the neighbours. This time, the rivalry centres on the distribution of European Peace Facility funds. Germany insists that the EUR 6.6 billion unblocked by Hungary should be entirely directed toward supporting Ukraine. Poland, however, intends to fight for every euro and demands full reimbursement for the weapons already delivered. Meanwhile, hopes for progress in the Hungarian-Ukrainian talks on Transcarpathia are drifting ever further from reality.
Polish Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk clearly outlined Warsaw’s position in an interview with RMF FM radio: Poland expects the return of approximately 2 billion zlotys (around 450 million euros) for the weapons supplied to Ukraine. Earlier, RMF FM journalists reported after the meeting of EU defence ministers in Nicosia that Poland risks not receiving full compensation.
The crux of the conflict lies in the €6.6 billion left at Brussels’ disposal after Budapest lifted its veto. The total declared expenditure of member states under the European Peace Facility has reached 43 billion euros, with a theoretical compensation rate of 40 percent amounting to 13.5 billion. However, such money does not exist. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas proposed distributing the 6.6 billion between partial reimbursement to member states (10 percent of their costs), funding a training mission for Ukrainian troops, and joint arms procurement for Kyiv.
Poland categorically rejects this plan. “This money is our money,” Tomczyk declared, promising a fight for every euro. Warsaw openly accuses Brussels of trying to change the rules mid-game.
The diplomatic crisis between Poland and Ukraine, triggered by the naming of a Ukrainian military unit after UPA heroes, has now acquired a sharp financial dimension. At the same time, Kyiv is simultaneously minimising expectations for the talks with Hungary on Transcarpathia. Scepticism prevails in the Polish parliament, where members are convinced that the Hungarian minority, even if Ukraine nominally fulfils 11 demands, will be unable to secure real guarantees on issues of language, education, and representation in government bodies.
While Warsaw and Kyiv exchange diplomatic, historical, and now financial grievances, the problem of national communities remains unresolved, fueling anti-Ukrainian sentiment within the Visegrád Four and undermining unity among Ukraine’s allies.
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