Poland’s democracy icon Lech Wałęsa, along with former political prisoners, expressed deep concern to President Donald Trump over his treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a recent meeting. They condemned Trump’s expectation of gratitude from Zelenskyy for US assistance in Ukraine’s defense against Russia, emphasizing that true appreciation should be directed towards the Ukrainian soldiers sacrificing their lives on the front lines. The letter, signed by Wałęsa and 38 other former activists who endured imprisonment under Poland’s communist regime, highlighted parallels between the Oval Office atmosphere and their past interrogations under the oppressive regime.

The signatories recalled the coercive tactics used by communist authorities to stifle dissent, drawing a stark comparison to Trump’s approach towards Zelenskyy. Wałęsa’s pivotal role in Poland’s Solidarity movement, which led to the peaceful overthrow of communism in 1989, was also underscored. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, Wałęsa later served as Poland’s first democratically elected president. The letter’s publication on Facebook aimed to draw attention to the perceived lack of respect shown to Zelenskyy and underscored the importance of valuing the sacrifices made by those defending freedom and democracy.