Feb 6, 2026, 2:13 p.mFeb 6, 2026, 2:13 p.m
The traditionally particularly close relations between Poland and the USA are strained by a seemingly bizarre diplomatic dispute.
On Thursday, US Ambassador Tom Rose announced the immediate severance of all relations with the President of the Polish Parliament, Wlodzimierz Czarzasty. The chairman of the Sejm, as the Polish lower house is officially called, had declared that he rejected the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump. By Friday, more and more top Polish politicians, but also US diplomats, expressed their solidarity with Czarzasty.
Polish Parliament Speaker Wlodzimierz Czarzasty rejects the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump.Image: keystone
The Sejm President, who belongs to the Polish government camp, accused Trump of destabilizing international institutions through his power politics. He also accused him of making derogatory comments towards Polish soldiers because Trump had downplayed the contribution of European allies to the US war in Afghanistan.
Tusk sides with the President of Parliament
This in turn prompted US Ambassador Rose to attack Czarzasty: “The outrageous and unjustified insults against President Donald Trump have seriously damaged our excellent relations with Prime Minister Tusk and his government,” the Polish news agency PAP quoted him as saying.
However, Donald Tusk, who was addressed in this way, took his compatriot’s side: “Allies should respect each other, not lecture each other,” wrote Poland’s Prime Minister, addressed to Rose, on X.
Mr.Ambassador Rose, allies should respect, not lecture, each other. At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership.
Panie Ambasadorze Rose, sojusznicy powinni się szanować, a nie pouczać. Przynajmniej tak w Polsce rozumiemy partnerstwo.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) February 5, 2026
Another exchange of blows followed on social media channels, during which one internet user recommended that the US ambassador “go home”. Rose responded to this with a threatening question as to whether he should “take the US soldiers and their equipment with him.” On Friday, Polish media clearly enjoyed quoting voices from prominent US diplomats and politicians who recommended Rose’s dismissal. (hkl/sda/dpa)