The US Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose announced that he is terminating all official contacts with the Speaker of the Polish Parliament Wlodzimierz Czarzasty, after he refused to support Donald Trump's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize and sharply criticized the American president.
The decision was announced in a post by Rose on the social network X, where he described Czarzasty's statements as "scandalous and unprovoked insults", writes "Politico".
Dear Mr. Prime Minister —
I’m assuming your thoughtful and well-articulated message was sent to me by mistake, because surely you intended it for the Speaker of the Sejm, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who’s despicable, disrespectful and insulting comments about President Trump @POTUS… https://t.co/wkcepBNJnS
"With immediate effect, we will no longer have any relations, contacts or communication with the Speaker of Parliament", the US ambassador wrote, stressing that such statements are a serious obstacle to the otherwise "excellent" relations between Washington and the government in Warsaw.
Rose's statement provoked a reaction from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who is traditionally considered pro-American. "Allies should respect each other, not lecture each other. At least this is how we in Poland understand partnership", Tusk wrote in X, indirectly criticizing the tone of the American diplomat.
Mr.Ambassador Rose, allies should respect, not lecture, each other. At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership.
Panie Ambassadorze Rose, sojuznicy powinni się szanować, a nie pouczać. Przynajmniej tak w Polsce rozumiemy partnerstwo.
Czarzasty said earlier this week that Trump "does not deserve" the Nobel Peace Prize. He argued his position by saying that the US president had shown disrespect for Poland as an ally after saying in December that NATO countries had not provided significant support to the US during the war in Afghanistan.
He said Trump had also "destabilized" international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
Rose, a former right-wing radio host, responded sharply, saying that the United States would not allow "anyone to harm US-Polish relations or to show disrespect to Donald Trump, who has done so much for Poland and the Polish people." He added that Czarzasty's criticism was "disgusting and offensive," and insisted that Prime Minister Tusk should have personally addressed his message to the speaker of parliament, who is a member of the New Left party, part of the ruling coalition.
At the same time, the US ambassador stressed that he had "the greatest respect and admiration" for Donald Tusk, whom he described as "an exemplary ally and a great friend of the United States." Later, however, Rose further sharpened her tone, responding to criticism from Polish social media users by writing on her personal profile: "Should we withdraw all our soldiers and equipment?", questioning the US military commitments in the country.
The verbal clash revealed the deep divisions in the Polish political elite regarding relations with the US. Tusk's pro-European coalition views Trump's transactional style of diplomacy and his perceived condescension towards Russia with suspicion, while the nationalist President Karol Nawrocki, considered close to the MAGA movement, emphasizes his close ties to Trump, who supported him in Poland's presidential election last year.
Poland remains one of the most pro-American countries in Europe and a key NATO ally, but public attitudes are changing. A recent sociological survey shows that 72% of Poles assess Trump's policies negatively, and only 28% - positively. Despite his criticism, Czarzasty said he continues to respect the United States as a key partner for Poland.