Poland Takes Over EU Presidency

On January 1, Poland assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union, stepping into the role with ambitious plans to strengthen its influence on the European stage.

Poland's leadership, taking over from Hungary, is seen as a welcome change in Brussels, especially after Budapest’s controversial tenure that often veered from EU consensus.

Over the next six months, Poland is expected to be key in advancing crucial EU policies, particularly in supporting Ukraine.

Poland has been one of Ukraine’s most vocal allies, contrasting sharply with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose actions, including a visit to Moscow in July to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, drew sharp criticism from the EU.

Poland’s presidency is pivotal for the bloc, with geopolitical uncertainty looming. The potential return of Donald Trump to the White House on January 20 has raised concerns about the future of US support for Ukraine and possible trade tensions between Europe and the United States.

Agnieszka Bartol, Poland's Permanent Representative to the EU, emphasized the high stakes, stating, “We are navigating through an era of immense challenges, with a war raging close to us in Ukraine.”