US-Poland Relations Strain as Ambassador Cuts Contact with Parliament Speaker
Warsaw, Poland – – A diplomatic rift has emerged between the United States and Poland after the US ambassador in Warsaw, Tom Rose, severed contact with Polish Parliament Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty. The move, announced on , stems from Czarzasty’s criticism of US President Donald Trump and his refusal to support Trump’s nomination for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Ambassador Rose accused Czarzasty of delivering “outrageous and unprovoked” insults directed at President Trump, stating that such comments undermined the strong ties between the two nations. According to a statement released by the US embassy, Rose’s decision to end all dealings with Czarzasty took effect “immediately.”
Czarzasty had publicly stated on Monday that he would not endorse the initiative, spearheaded by US House Speaker Mike Johnson and Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, to encourage parliamentary leaders to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. He cited Trump’s “policy of force” and his role in destabilizing international affairs as reasons for his opposition.
“This is a breach of the politics of principles and values, often a breach of international law,” Czarzasty reportedly told reporters, explaining his decision. He further elaborated that Trump’s policies were “transactonal” and destabilizing to the international situation.
The escalating dispute prompted a response from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who defended Czarzasty and urged Ambassador Rose to adopt a more respectful approach. “Mr. Ambassador Rose, allies should respect, not lecture, each other. At least this is how we in Poland understand partnership,” Tusk wrote on social media platform X.
The situation also highlighted existing political divisions within Poland. President Karol Nawrocki’s spokesman, Rafał Leskiewicz, criticized Tusk’s government, stating that the current ruling coalition had chosen a parliamentary speaker “who does not understand the importance and significance of alliances.”
Despite the rebuke from the US ambassador, Czarzasty remained defiant, reaffirming his respect for the US as a key partner while maintaining his stance on Trump’s unsuitability for the Nobel Peace Prize. “I continue to respect the United States as a key partner of Poland. I regret Ambassador Tom Rose’s declaration, but I will not change my position on these fundamental issues for Polish women and men,” Czarzasty posted on X.
The incident underscores the delicate position facing Poland’s pro-European coalition government as it attempts to balance maintaining close ties with the United States while navigating the “America First” policies pursued by President Trump, which are viewed with unease by many within the coalition. The episode also highlights the ongoing political tensions between the current government and more Trump-aligned nationalist opposition groups within Poland.
Ambassador Rose emphasized that he would not allow anyone to harm US-Polish relations or disrespect President Trump, whom he credited with doing “so much for Poland and the Polish people.”
