US ambassador to Poland cuts contact with parliament speaker over Trump remarks

2026-02-05 - 21:05

A significant diplomatic rift has opened between the United States and Poland after the U.S. Ambassador to Warsaw, Tom Rose, declared he would cut off all official contact with the speaker of the Polish parliament. The decision, announced Thursday on social media, was a direct response to critical remarks made by Speaker Wlodzimierz Czarzasty about U.S. President Donald Trump. Ambassador's statement and accusation Ambassador Rose stated that "effective immediately" the U.S. Embassy would have "no further dealings, contacts, or communications" with Czarzasty, whom he accused of "outrageous and unprovoked insults" against President Trump. Rose framed the comments as "a serious impediment" to bilateral relations and asserted that Washington would not tolerate anyone "harm US–Polish relations, nor disrespect" Trump, whom he credited for doing "so much for Poland and the Polish people." Polish political response The move prompted a response from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who offered a more diplomatic critique of the ambassador's action. Tusk stated that allies "should respect, not lecture, each other," adding, "At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership." Ambassador Rose later clarified that his message was intended specifically for the parliament speaker and not the prime minister, praising Tusk's leadership while reaffirming his commitment to defending President Trump "without hesitation, exception or apology." Trigger: Nobel Prize nomination refusal The dispute stems from Czarzasty's refusal earlier this week to sign a letter circulating among global parliamentary leaders that nominates President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The letter was initiated by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Czarzasty, who leads the left-wing party "The Left" in Poland's governing coalition, argued that Trump's policies had "destabilized international structures and violated international law," leading to his decision not to endorse the nomination.