Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited neighbouring Poland on Wednesday and thanked the country for its “historic” help, saying it should become a key partner in the vast reconstruction effort needed once Russia’s invasion ends.
Warsaw has positioned itself as one of Kyiv’s staunchest allies, playing a leading role in persuading sometimes reluctant allies to provide it with heavy weaponry. On Wednesday President Andrzej Duda said Poland would supply Ukraine with a total of 14 MiG-29 fighter jets.
Duda also awarded his Ukrainian counterpart the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest honour.
“You have stood shoulder to shoulder with us, and we are grateful for it,” Zelenskiy said after receiving the award. “I believe that these are historic relations, a historic result, and historic strength between our countries.”
Duda said he was confident that Ukraine would emerge victorious from the conflict.
“We have no doubt that your conduct combined with the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers saved Ukraine,” he said. “We have no doubt that your conduct is saving Europe from a deluge of Russian imperialism.”
Zelenskiy also signed a letter of intent with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on the transfer of Rosomak armored vehicles to Ukraine during a meeting in which the two discussed solutions to ease problems stemming from Ukrainian grain entering European markets and pushing down prices.
“We have found a way out. I believe that in the coming days and weeks we will finally resolve all issues as there cannot be any questions, any complications between such close partners and real friends as Poland and Ukraine,” Zelenskiy said.
“We discussed issues regarding our farmers, Polish farmers and Ukrainian farmers.”
Poland’s Agriculture Minister Henryk Kowalczk resigned on Wednesday as a result of the crisis.
Zelenskiy invited Polish businesses to come to Ukraine before the war ends to secure a better position on Ukrainian markets as well as in the country’s reconstruction drive.
MILITARY AID
The visit to Poland, which has taken in more than a million Ukrainian refugees over the past 13 months of war, comes as Ukraine plans to conduct a counter-offensive in the coming weeks or months to recapture land in its east and south from Russia.
Zelenskiy said on Wednesday the situation in the Ukrainian eastern city of Bakhmut was really difficult and that the “corresponding decisions” would be taken if Kyiv’s troops there risk being encircled by Russian forces.
“For me, the most important is not to lose our soldiers and of course if there is a moment of even hotter events and the danger we could lose our personnel because of encirclement – of course the corresponding correct decisions will be taken by generals there,” he said.
Duda said on Wednesday that Poland is working towards getting additional security guarantees for Ukraine at a NATO summit to be held in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in July.
In addition to MiG-29 jets, Ukraine officials have also pressed for F-16 jet fighters to boost Kyiv’s ability to hit Russian missile units with U.S.-made rockets but Duda’s foreign policy adviser Marcin Przydacz said Poland would not decide any time soon on whether to send any.
“F-16s are protecting Poland’s skies.” he said. “There are absolutely no such decisions at this stage.”
The Polish public overwhelming supports Ukrainians in their war with Russia. An Ipsos poll said 82% of Poles think NATO and European Union countries should back Ukraine until it wins.
Asked what Zelenskiy’s visit meant to her, Ukrainian refugee Olena, 46, gave a thumbs up before bursting into tears.
“If it weren’t for him there would be no Ukraine by now,” she said while passing the presidential palace, adding that she was grateful to Poland for being able to stay and work in the country.
