A joint initiative of Poland and Sweden to support fighting Ukraine

At the initiative of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Prime Minister of Sweeden Magdalena Andersson, the International Donors’ Conference to support Ukraine was held at the National Stadium in Warsaw. The partners of the event were the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

- Thank you all for being with us here today. Your presence shows that we are not indifferent to the suffering caused by this unjust, brutal war, that we are doing everything in our power to stop Russia and ensure victory for Ukraine – stressed Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in the introduction to his speech.

The meeting was held at the level of Heads of State and Government, with the participation of representatives of global business and financial institutions - partners from the European Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Representatives of international humanitarian institutions, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Children's Fund, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, were also present at the conference.

Solidarity - the key to stoppig Russian aggression

For more than 70 days, Ukraine has been struggling with brutal aggression from Russia. The fight of the Ukrainians is a fight for freedom and security of the whole Europe. The crimes in Bucha, Borodzianka, Hostomel, Mariupol and hundreds of other towns show what a barbaric system we have to face as Europe.

During the conference at the National Stadium in Warsaw, the head of the Polish government addressed Ukrainians,  including the President and Prime Minister of Ukraine: - Dear brothers and sisters from Ukraine, dear President Zelenski, dear Prime Minister Denys, we know very well that today you are fighting not only for your homeland, not only for your independence and freedom but also for ours.

The Prime Minister also declared further help: - We will continue to support you in every possible way. You will win this war, we will win it together. Together, we will prove that European values are not empty words but are followed by action.

Poland has been supporting Ukraine since the beginning of Russian aggression

Since the first day of Russian aggression against Ukraine, our country has been standing in solidarity with its eastern neighbour. Over 5.6 million people have already fled Ukraine due to the aggressive actions of Russia, more than 3 million of whom have crossed the border with Poland.

All those who have sought shelter in Poland received such assistance. This is the result of solidarity action and support from the government, local government units, non-governmental organisations and thousands of Polish people. The Prime Minister thanked Poles for their attitude and the heart showed to refugees: - I would like to thank all Poles, all citizens of our country, all those who are involved in supporting Ukrainian refugees and those who raise funds to support Ukraine.

Persons from Ukraine can work legally in Poland or continue their education free of charge. - We are not creating refugee camps. We prefer another form of integration of refugees with our society so that they can stay with us as long as they want to. We all hope that they will be able to return to their homes as soon as possible. This approach chosen by Poland is much more costly but much more humane and sustainable at the same time – added the Prime Minister.

Apart from humanitarian aid, Poland also provides military support: - EUR 1.6 billion - this is the equivalent of the military aid provided by Poland to date. We will continue providing the suport and will strengthen it if required -  said the Prime Minister.

Our country also supports Ukraine's accession to the European Union. - Ukraine should obtain the status of a candidate country for accession to the European Union as soon as possible. I know how important it is for Ukrainians to keep up their fighting spirit and morale. This is extremely important – stated the head of the government.

Further assistance for Ukraine

The Prime Minister declared further support to Ukraine: - Poland will continue to support refugees from Ukraine, at least to the amount of EUR 3.4 billion by the end of this year.

The money will be allocated to support housing and transport, among other things. Moreover, Poland will continue to offer free education, language courses, transport, access to the labour market. We will also provide EUR 100 million of aid in the form of hygiene products, including medicines, and temporary houses, which will be built in Ukraine.

Poland supports severe sanctions

Poland is actively involved in actions to impose strict and severe sanctions on Russia: - We all need to increase the pressure on Russia. The sanctions must be serious. Poland may soon become independent of Russian gas and oil. As you probably already know, we have already been cut off from Russian gas – since over a week. This is because we did not want to agree to pay for the gas in roubles - said the head of the government.

The Prime Minister also addressed all European governments asking them to follow the same path: - I am pleased that many governments have already agreed to that, which is expressed in the sixth package of sanctions. There needs to be a full embargo on raw materials from Russia. We also need to ensure the confiscation of Russian assets. This should no longer be a taboo subject. There should be full confiscation of Russian assets, the property of the oligarchs. This money should be used to rebuild Ukraine.

The European Commission has presented a proposal of the sixth package of sanctions. It is to include restrictions on imports of oil and petroleum products, further restrictions on the financial sector and financial services, further sectoral sanctions and export controls. The package will also include sanctions against individual companies in the military sector and those responsible for war crimes.

Prime Minister Morawiecki meets the head of the European Commission and Prime Ministers of Ukraine and Finland

During the conference at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki held bilateral meetings with the President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin.

The topic of the talks during the leaders' meetings was the situation behind our eastern border, the possibility of supporting Ukraine and the imposition of further sanctions on Russia. Furthermore, during their discussion with the Prime Minister of Finland, the heads of government discussed the issues related to the country's possible accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Donors' conference - the second event of this type in Poland

This was the second Donors’ Conference held in Warsaw. The previous one took place on 9 April. The international organisation, Global Citizen, was in charge of the event, while the initiators of the meeting were the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. President of Poland Andrzej Duda also participated in the conference.

During the Donors’ Conference, "Stand Up for Ukraine", more than EUR 10 billion was raised to help Ukrainian refugees.