““I am grateful for Poland’s willingness to help and for the support provided since the first days of the full-scale war,” Zelenskyy said”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
According to Zelenskyi, it is important that Ukraine and Poland support each other’s efforts:
“It always strengthens us. I am glad that there is cooperation between the ministries of culture on historical issues regarding states, there is joint work that has begun. There is progress. We discussed the situation on the battlefield in detail. Ukraine needs a just peace, to be strong, it needs strengthening. After the inauguration of Donald Trump, efforts will be made to stop the war. We need a strong, joint position of all partners, real peace. I am grateful for Poland’s willingness to help and for the support provided from the first days of the full-scale war and all the years of Ukraine’s independence. There are already 45 packages of military support that are being implemented.”
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In 2025, Poland will chair the Council of the European Union and this can bring good results to Ukraine, the Ukrainian president said.
In Lviv, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the Polish Cemetery of Eagles at the Lychakiv Cemetery, the graves of Sich riflemen and Ukrainian defenders who died during the Russian-Ukrainian war. He also saw in Lviv the consequences of the massive Russian missile attack on September 4 this year.
At the briefing, Tusk called the common history of Ukraine and Poland “complicated, but also beautiful.”
“This is the story of two peoples who showed understanding at such a historic moment as Russia’s attack, Poland’s help, and Ukraine’s struggle. This is a great matter, and I repeat it to my citizens, that it is a great matter that was born between our peoples at times contrary to history. Today we are united by a common political interest and a deep sense of justice. Poland and the Polish people, like few people in the world, understand how unjust Russia’s attack is and how fair the struggle of Ukrainians for their territory is. Poles are very grateful to Ukrainian soldiers,” Tusk said.
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During the briefing, Zelensky stated that he plans to raise the issue of the deployment of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine during his visit to Brussels on December 18.
At the same time, according to Tusk, Poland is not considering the possibility of sending its peacekeeping troops to Ukraine after the ceasefire.
“Today, those who say today that they are ready to send their peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to guarantee calm and peace should rethink the definitions of this mission in order not to speculate on this issue. Poland bears the biggest burden among all European countries in connection with the war in Ukraine. Poland is the main aid hub for Ukraine. Poland needs full support and cooperation for the security of the Polish border,” he said.
According to the Polish Prime Minister, Poland has taken responsibility for protecting the NATO border with Russia and Belarus and guarantees Ukraine its support.
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“Ukraine must participate in all conversations about its future,” Tusk emphasized.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on December 12 that there are currently no plans to send foreign troops to Ukraine after the armistice, and any such decision regarding Polish troops will be made in Warsaw. The Prime Minister of Poland emphasized that the country has taken on the burden of protecting the borders of NATO and the EU with Belarus and Russia.
The day before, the media reported that French leader Macron and Polish president Duda should discuss the deployment of peacekeeping forces on the territory of Ukraine after the end of the war. According to the media, it was about a potential 40,000-strong mission, which will consist of troops from different countries.