Lech Walesa, the leader of Poland’s Solidarity movement, along with former Polish political prisoners, sent a letter to President Trump expressing their “horror and disgust” at his recent remarks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The letter, which was shared on Walesa's Facebook page, highlighted how Trump's scolding reminded them of encounters with Communist-era officials.
The signatories articulated their terror at the atmosphere in the Oval Office during the conversation, likening it to past interrogations by the Security Service and Communist courts. They emphasized that just as prosecutors and judges during that era asserted their dominance, Trump’s statement to Zelensky, “you don’t have the cards,” echoed a similar sentiment.
Furthermore, the letter criticized the tone taken by Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who admonished Zelensky for not expressing sufficient gratitude for U.S. assistance to Ukraine. The former political detainees emphasized that true gratitude belongs to the Ukrainian soldiers defending democratic values.
Their letter also reflected a broader concern among European leaders regarding Trump's treatment of Zelensky and what it signals about U.S. foreign policy. Despite the unease, many leaders have refrained from public criticism of Trump to avoid further complicating relations with him and Ukraine.
Recalling the support given by President Ronald Reagan to opponents of tyranny during the Cold War, the letter cautioned against shifting away from long-standing commitments to democratic values, arguing that historical precedent shows such a stance can ultimately threaten the United States itself.