The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The leaders held a productive and substantive discussion on many issues, including the energy sector and joint drone production.
This was reported by the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy thanked Poland for supporting Ukraine.
“First of all, I want to thank Poland — the Polish state and the Polish people — for supporting Ukraine now, during our defense against the Russian invasion, and throughout all the years since Ukraine restored its independence. Poland has been and, I strongly hope, will always remain a reliable friend of Ukraine, and therefore of our entire region and all of free Europe”, — the President said.
The President informed about the situation in Ukraine — in the energy sector and its restoration after daily Russian terror.
Tusk expressed condolences to Ukrainians over Russian strikes on energy facilities and residential buildings, which have caused lack of heating, electricity, and water amid severe frosts.
Zelenskyy thanked Tusk, his team, and Polish society for providing energy equipment, especially generators.
The leaders discussed energy cooperation and projects that can strengthen both countries, in particular development of energy networks. They expect productive work between their teams, especially at the level of energy and finance ministers.
“And speaking of gas supplies to Europe, including Ukraine, Poland is already working with us on this, and we will increase this direction — increasing LNG supply volumes”, — Zelenskyy added.
A significant part of the discussion focused on joint defense programs. The leaders talked about further Polish participation in the Purl program, full Ukrainian participation in the Safe program, and joint production.
Zelenskyy and Tusk signed a Letter of Intent on joint production of defense materials in Poland and Ukraine. These agreements will ensure development of digital infrastructure, robotics, and unmanned systems.
“We are preparing to produce drones together, to create co-production with Poland — and this will happen: producing drones and other weapons. Our country has the most relevant expertise, probably the largest today, because we are living through a war — the deepest expertise on what weapons truly work in modern warfare and what can help. This is the kind of weapon we must produce together to protect our states and Europe”, — Zelenskyy stressed.
They also discussed further weapons supplies to Ukraine and assistance in the war against Russia.
“The 47th package is already ready. We are now forming the 48th. We also discussed how to support Ukraine in terms of air defense. Immediately after returning to Poland, I will again speak with my generals and the defense minister about how to support Ukraine against Russia’s air aggression as quickly and effectively as possible”, — Tusk said.
Separately, the leaders discussed diplomatic efforts to end the war. Zelenskyy informed about Ukraine’s negotiating team’s work in Abu Dhabi in the trilateral format.
“We must end this war in a real way — with reliable security guarantees for Ukraine. These are guarantees for the entire region. And most importantly — Russia must not receive any reward for aggression. The war must end in such a way that Russia has no desire to resume aggression against Ukraine or any other European state”, — Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to the President, Ukraine expects Poland’s further support for all EU measures to pressure Russia: decisions to block Russian oil tankers and a strong 20th sanctions package.
“We are also grateful for Poland’s principled position regarding Russian assets — Russian assets must work for defense against Russia and for rebuilding after Russia’s aggression. All decisions necessary for this must work. There is already a decision on €90 billion of support for Ukraine for two years. We must also achieve results on the entire volume of Russian funds”, — Zelenskyy added.
The sides also discussed active Polish participation in Ukraine’s reconstruction and preparations for the international Reconstruction Conference, which will be held this year in Poland — in Gdańsk.
