Poland rebukes Trump’s Pope comments, stands firm on Ukraine’s EU path

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has warned that criticism by Donald Trump directed at Pope Leo XIV could have adverse political consequences.

Speaking in an interview with RMF24, Sikorski highlighted the significant share of Catholics in the United States and underscored the Pope’s American background.

“In the United States, perhaps a quarter of the population is Catholic. The Pope is American. Just imagine if the Polish government—even a communist one—had entered into a dispute with Pope John Paul II. That would not have benefited the authorities,” he said.

Turning to European affairs, Sikorski rejected the prospect of fast-tracking Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, insisting that Kyiv must complete the full integration process.

He made the remarks in response to comments by Hungarian politician Péter Magyar, who has also voiced opposition to accelerated EU membership for Ukraine.

Sikorski said Poland’s position aligns with Magyar’s, stressing that Ukraine should follow the same path of accession as Poland did.

“He is saying what is also our position. The European Commission has floated the idea of accelerated membership. That will not happen. We believe Ukraine must meet all the conditions, just as we had to. And, of course, there will be difficult chapters in the negotiations, such as agriculture or transport,” the Polish minister said.

By Vafa Guliyeva