The United States is ending all contact with Polish parliament speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty, US ambassador to Poland Thomas Rose said on February 5, sparking a political storm.

The dispute follows Czarzasty’s declaration that Poland would not support a letter by the speaker of the US House of Representatives and the speaker of the Knesset backing US President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.

"Effective immediately, we will have no further dealings, contacts, or communications with (Speaker) Czarzasty, whose outrageous and unprovoked insults directed against President Trump has made himself a serious impediment to our excellent relations with Prime Minister Tusk and his government," Rose wrote on X. 

More broadly, the controversy reflects different approaches to Trump by the pro-EU Tusk government and President Karol Nawrocki, who was endorsed by Trump in last year’s presidential campaign. Nawrocki’s political camp and the allied right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party have largely defended Rose and lambasted Czarzasty.

At a press conference on February 2, Czarzasty said Trump did not deserve the award and accused the US president of breaching international law, undermining international institutions, and disrespecting Poland as an ally.

The latter is an echo of Trump’s interview in December, in which he said US allies in Afghanistan stayed away from the front lines and the US did not need them.

"We will not permit anyone to harm US-Polish relations, nor disrespect (Donald Trump), who has done so much for Poland and the Polish people," Rose also wrote.

The announcement set off a public exchange between Rose and Prime Minister Donald Tusk after the prime minister defended Czarzasty, the leader of the Left, a coalition partner in the Tusk-led government.

"Mr Ambassador Rose, allies should respect, not lecture, each other. At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership," Tusk wrote on X.

But that elicited a response from Rose that many in Poland saw as arrogant.

"I’m assuming your thoughtful and well-articulated message was sent to me by mistake, because surely you intended it for Speaker Czarzasty, who’s despicable, disrespectful and insulting comments about President Trump were so potentially damaging to your government," Rose said in another post on X. 

"I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for your lifetime of bold leadership and for your decades of contributions that strengthened the US—Poland relationship … I know you agree that insulting and degrading the President of the United States — the greatest friend Poland has ever had in the White House — is the last thing any Polish leader should do."

Czarzasty rejected the ambassador’s move, while reaffirming Poland’s ties with Washington.

"In line with my values, I stood up for Polish soldiers serving on missions and did not support the candidacy of President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize," Czarzasty wrote on X. 

"I consistently respect the United States as a key partner of Poland. Therefore, I regret Ambassador Tom Rose’s declaration, but I will not change my position on these fundamental matters," Czarzasty also wrote.