Poland's prime minister pledges financial aid and military cooperation to Ukraine amidst Russian aggression
This was Prime Minister Donald Tusk's first delegation to countries outside the EU since his recent return to power. In a conference following the meeting, Tusk revealed that he and the president of Ukraine had agreed on financial assistance for their neighboring country.
"Poland is prepared to manufacture and supply Ukraine with the necessary equipment," stated the head of the government. "We will pursue joint financing, maintaining commercial principles in all Polish supplies intended for Ukraine," added the prime minister.
"We have also been discussing and will progress talks on joint weapons and ammunition production investments. Poland has repeatedly emphasized: every country in Europe, as well as Europe and the West collectively, must handle the challenge that Russia imposes," said Tusk. He then pointed out: - "We will invest in companies, both in Poland and Ukraine, that aim to augment our defense capabilities: Ukraine, Poland, and Europe".
This is good news for Kyiv which has been actively fighting for further financial aid from the US and the EU. Internal politics, such as Hungary's veto, have caused unexpected delays in these supports while Russia continues its encroachment on Ukrainian territories.
What were Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Volodymyr Zelensky discussing?
The head of the Polish government and the Ukrainian president talked about the suspended carriers' protest at the border and the uncontrolled importation of agricultural products into Poland.
"No obstacles or blockades can shatter the solidarity with Ukraine. I fully back the actions of the Polish government in eliminating such hurdles. We comprehend the reasons behind this situation, but we must also confront the near threats to our nations. Therefore, we have to approach all issues in a highly pragmatic fashion," asserted Zelensky.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that "we are capable of dealing with all significant problems at the governmental level". He mentioned that the work on this would commence soon.
Another matter raised in the discussions was energy cooperation. "For both countries and the entirety of Europe, it's crucial to harness energy capabilities to establish the appropriate energy infrastructure fully," the president of Ukraine pointed out.
During his visit to Kyiv, Donald Tusk announced that Paweł Kowal would be appointed Ukraine's reconstruction commissioner. "We aim to be more than just involved in Ukraine's struggle against Russia, but also actively participate in the reconstruction process," said the Polish prime minister.
