“On behalf of myself and the Government of the Republic of Poland, I would like to express solidarity with the Ukrainian people and support for Ukraine as a sovereign, independent state,” Deputy Prime Minister Kowalczyk said.

The Deputy Prime Minister assured of the readiness to provide support to Ukraine in those hard times, including humanitarian food aid. The Deputy Prime Minister empathised his great appreciation of the determination and courage of the Ukrainian people repelling the Russian aggression. He also expressed his condolences on the losses which Ukraine has suffered during the hostilities of the war.

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development informed about the assistance given to date and planned to be offered to Ukrainian citizens who have been forced to leave their county. He pointed out the support, including, among others, the provision of accommodation for the refugees from Ukraine. He added that at present the Parliament was legislating a law on assistance to the citizens of Ukraine in light of the armed conflict in the territory on that state. The law provides that the citizens of Ukraine will enjoy the same rights as the citizens of Poland, among others, in the scope of social allowances and access to education. The legal provisions are to be in effect for 18 months.

Deputy Prime Minister Henryk Kowalczyk informed that Poland was already arranging for various assistance to Ukraine, including humanitarian aid. He emphasised that food supplies from Poland to Ukraine would be facilitated if Kiev also confirmed that import restrictions did not apply to the humanitarian aid.

Minister Roman Leshchenko expressed gratitude on behalf of himself and the President of Ukraine for the kindness and any assistance provided by Poland to the citizens of Ukraine. He also informed about the situation in Ukraine in the scope of the supply of food and inputs to agricultural production.

The Ministers agreed the assumptions for cooperation in the nearest future and indicated their representatives who would coordinate the further food support for the citizens of Ukraine. Deputy Prime Minister Henryk Kowalczyk entrusted Secretary of State Rafał Romanowski with the responsibility for the coordination on part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.