Star Metro - Poland, Ukraine hold key Gdansk conference without Zelensky

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on the West to believe a post-war Ukraine will "rise from the ruins" like his native city Gdansk, largely destroyed during World War II, as he tried to dampen the diplomatic spat with Kyiv.

Ukraine's economy has been devastated by the Russian invasion and requires hundreds of billions of dollars of investment in reconstruction.

The conference opened under heavy security after weeks of uncertainty over whether it would take place at all.

Zelensky had infuriated Poles by signing a decree naming a military unit after the WWII UPA nationalist insurgents, who took part in massacres against Poles in the 1940s.

"We can build the future only on truth, on mutual respect, on an understanding of history," Tusk said.

But, in comments that may stir Kyiv, he also said Ukraine should "understand its own history" and show an "authentic capacity and readiness for reconciliation" if it wanted to join the EU.

The row has created a political crisis between the allies in the fifth year of Moscow's invasion.

Zelensky normally attends the annual conference aimed at boosting investment into Ukraine, but skipped the Gdansk event amid the deteriorated ties.

Kyiv sent Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko instead, with a string of European leaders and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also attending.

- 'Something so emotional' -

Svyrydenko also struck a friendly tone.

"Thank you for your help when it was the most urgent time to support us," she told the Polish audience, referring to Poland opening its borders and taking in over a million Ukrainian refugees after Russia invaded in 2022.

It has since turned into a logistics hub for Western military aid flowing into Ukraine.

But the row has taken the EU by surprise, with Brussels uncertain what to do and hoping it will not have lasting effects.

Marta Kos, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, told AFP she feared "something so emotional can affect the rationality of the businesses."

She said it was a shame that Zelensky -- "a symbol of Ukrainian courage" -- was not there, but played down his absence, saying she did not believe it "harmed" the conference.

Warsaw has throughout the war said it wants Kyiv to one day join the EU.

But as the conflict has dragged on, nationalist parties have stoked anti-Ukrainian sentiment.

According to a recent opinion poll, 59.7 percent of Poles now oppose Ukraine's accession to the EU.

On reconstruction, Poland hopes its companies will build on their geographical closeness and not be overshadowed by Westerners when a peace deal is eventually reached and businesses can start pouring into Ukraine.

In the stands of Gdansk's Amberexpo, Polish business people hoped the political arguing would not affect potential deals.

"From the business side, we see no problems," said Michal Rzepnikowski, of the Endolink SA firm that ships Polish prosthetics into Ukraine.

- Corruption fears -

"We want to help and develop business," Rzepnikowski said of the diplomatic row, adding:

"But of course it does resonate in our relations with Ukraine and it does come up in conversations. But both sides reach the conclusion that it is not a priority during the war."

Peace talks have so far led nowhere, and corruption fears -- which have long plagued Kyiv -- also loom over reconstruction talks.

"Investors will not come if there will be corruption," Kos, the EU commissioner said.

Kyiv's allies are trying to help Ukraine carry out the necessary reforms needed to begin the EU accession process.

From Ukrainians at the conference, there was some optimism that Moscow's offensive has significantly slowed.

"We've seen advances on the frontline," said Valery Shyrokov, a soldier in a Ukrainian unit of ex-artists, recently back from the front.

"We are looking with positivism into the future," he added.

He refused to comment when asked if his view of Poland has changed during the recent spat.

O.Ouellet--SMC