Piotr Ikonowicz, who appeared in the TV Republika studio, got into a heated argument with host Miłosz Kłeczek, insulted the station, and ultimately… walked out of the live program. “Do not invite me again,” he said as he left the broadcast.
President Karol Nawrocki said today that he had not received any official information regarding the planned transfer of MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. He added that cooperation between himself and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is functioning well, and he is confident the matter will be clarified.
During the program “Miłosz Kłeczek zaprasza” on TV Republika, guests — including Piotr Ikonowicz — discussed the issue.
During the debate, a sharp exchange erupted between host Miłosz Kłeczek and Ikonowicz. Suddenly, Ikonowicz began insulting TV Republika, and after being called out for it, he took offense and… walked out of the studio.
The dialogue unfolded as follows:
Ikonowicz: The President is signaling that he opposes handing over those MiGs, without even having to say it outright. It’s very clever.
Kłeczek: Should we be giving things to the Ukrainians for free?
Ikonowicz: There you go again — “to the Ukrainians” — already stirring things up…
Kłeczek: What are you talking about?
Ikonowicz: This station is very smoothly shifting from being a mouthpiece for PiS to becoming a mouthpiece for Confederation, or maybe even for Braun. You’re heading in that direction, and that’s a very bad service to Poland — even to the Polish right.
Kłeczek: Don’t engage in this cheap propaganda. Are we supposed to hand military equipment to the Ukrainians for free, expecting nothing in return?
Ikonowicz: Yes, we are — as long as they are fighting Russia! A mortal threat!
Kłeczek: So we should give away everything?!
Ikonowicz: Young man, stop yelling.
Kłeczek: I’ll yell if you interrupt me.
Ikonowicz: You’re hosting a serious program, not a marketplace rally. Try speaking normally!
Kłeczek: You come here as a guest and then insult us — the station, the editorial line. Listen to what I am telling you.
Ikonowicz: If that’s how you see it… If you won’t let me speak, why should I sit here as some kind of extra? (…) This is a disgrace. Do not invite me again.
Kłeczek: I won’t invite you again, because if someone cannot handle the pressure, then there is no place for them in this studio (…) We stand on the side of Poland and, above all, the Polish national interest.
Ikonowicz removed his equipment, placed it on the studio table, and walked out — shaking the host’s hand on his way out.
“Should we give things to the Ukrainians for free? Because Mr. Ikonowicz became so emotional about this topic that he walked out of the studio when I asked whether we should be giving things to Ukraine without expecting anything in return — neither from Ukraine nor from our partners. If we give something away, I would like those shortages to be replenished, for example with equipment from the United States,” explained Miłosz Kłeczek.