Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Donald Tusk in Kyiv: I am grateful for Poland's readiness to start working on a bilateral agreement on security commitments

 

 

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk, who arrived in Ukraine on a working visit.

The Head of State noted that it was the first visit of Donald Tusk as Prime Minister to a country outside the EU.

"We greatly value this choice – the choice to be in Ukraine. Poland's choice of Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with Donald Tusk in Kyiv.

The President thanked Poland and the entire Polish people for the support that helped Ukrainians withstand the full-scale Russian war.

"We highly appreciate that we were not left alone in this battle for Ukraine. We are together with many nations that have helped us and continue to do so. And the Polish people, the Polish state is one of our greatest helpers," the Head of State noted.

At the same time, he noted that due to support for Ukraine, Poland's freedom will definitely endure.

During their meeting in Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Tusk discussed all aspects of bilateral relations. Special attention was paid to defense support.

“There is a new Polish defense package. We appreciate such unflagging support. There is a new form of our cooperation – aimed at a larger scale of arms purchases for Ukrainian needs – the Polish loan for Ukraine. Today, Mr. Prime Minister and I also discussed the possibilities of joint future arms production,” the President of Ukraine informed.

The parties also discussed security commitments and Poland's accession to the G7 Joint Declaration adopted in Vilnius.

"I am grateful for the willingness to start working on a bilateral agreement between our countries. I am confident that the agreement can be very ambitious, exactly what our nations need. I would also like to thank you for the joint work with Poland on the Peace Formula – Poland supports global efforts and participates in relevant meetings. This is important," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The leaders also discussed the situation on the border between Ukraine and Poland. The Head of State emphasized the importance of overcoming any problems together in the most pragmatic way possible for the sake of common interests.

"We discussed with Mr. Prime Minister that all critical issues can be resolved at the level of our governments. And work on this will begin shortly," the President noted.

The interlocutors also paid attention to the issue of cooperation in the energy sector, the possibility of building up and enhancing energy potential.

"This includes the expansion of the relevant infrastructure of energy ties between Ukraine and Poland, and our government officials will elaborate on all this," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State and the Polish Prime Minister discussed Ukraine's course towards the European Union, particularly the exchange of experience in interaction with European institutions.

"I am grateful for Mr. Prime Minister's willingness to support Ukraine with his experience, and perhaps we should form a special advisory group between our countries, between our governments, to support Ukraine on its way to the European Union. I am sure we will be together in the European Union. We will be together in NATO," the President said.

In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Polish business to contribute to the country's recovery after hostilities.

"We share full understanding with Mr. Prime Minister on such cooperation and support of Ukrainian and Polish businesses. Together we will be free – Ukraine and Poland," the Head of State summarized.

Donald Tusk, for his part, noted that all political forces in Poland share the belief that Ukraine needs to be supported in its fight against Russian aggression by all available means.

"Poland will try to help in all aspects of the EU accession process so that Ukraine's full membership in the European Union becomes a fact as soon as possible. We will also cooperate in all other formats, so I have informed Mr. President that Poland has acceded today to the G7 Joint Declaration adopted at the NATO Summit in Vilnius," the Polish Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of Ukrainian-Polish business projects, as well as joint investment in the production of weapons and ammunition.

According to him, Poland plans to take part in Ukraine's recovery and the Polish government will appoint a commissioner responsible for this issue.