Poland's MFA summons U.S. ambassador

Poland has previously been at odds with the United States over Discovery-owned news channel TVN24, which is critical of the government.

TVN24 recently contributed to stirring a heated debate in Poland by airing a documentary alleging late John Paul II knew about sexual abuses by Catholic clergy before becoming pope.

It was not immediately clear if the issue the U.S. ambassador was summoned over concerned TVN24. The U.S. embassy in Warsaw had no immediate comment.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognizes that the potential effects of these actions are identical to the goals of the hybrid war aimed at leading to divisions and tensions in Polish society," the ministry said in a statement.

"Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the U.S. Ambassador to inform him about the situation and its consequences in weakening the ability of the Republic of Poland to deter a potential adversary and its resistance to threats."

In 2021, Poland's president vetoed a media bill that critics said was aimed at silencing TVN24, citing worries about the strain the law would put on relations with Washington.

TVN24 reporter Sebastian Napieraj on Thursday afternoon asked MFA spokesperson Łukasz Jasina about the meeting with U.S. Ambassador Mark Brzezinski.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited Mr Ambassador to discuss a difficult issue in Polish-American relations, which should not, however, interrupt further good work for the alliance between our countries," Jasina said.

"It is the issue of a certain TV broadcaster, holding American capital, about which we have quite serious concerns when it comes to dividing of our society. And that's basically it. We won't be mentioning the name of this broadcaster or any other things. Mr Ambassador paid us a short visit, it was a good discussion," the spokesperson added.