“In normal times, there would be plenty bilateral topics to discuss. However, today the obvious issue for us to discuss is exclusively Ukraine," said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki after the meeting with Swiss President Ignazio Cassis. As he pointed out, the politicians spent a lot of time discussing in detail the joint actions that can be taken to help Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty.

Extensive sanction packages against Russia

The main topic that was raised during the meeting with the Swiss President was various types of "sanction mechanisms". In view of the ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which includes an increasing number of attacks on civilian objects, Poland advocates a further expansion of sanctions against Russia.

”In a few days, at the European Council in Brussels, we will discuss further sanction mechanisms. We know very well that the first sanctions imposed have already hit the Russian economy hard, although still not hard enough," said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. He urged Switzerland to freeze the assets of Russian oligarchs in the country. He also thanked President Ignazio Cassis for Switzerland's willingness to work on further sanction packages against Russia, as well as for its readiness to provide humanitarian aid to refugees from Ukraine.

President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassisem has stressed that Russian aggression against Ukraine is a grave violation of international law. Switzerland has criticised this situation heavily. “There is a constant threat and the world will never be the same after this war,” he continued.  “Therefore, Switzerland has decided to apply all EU sanctions against Russia that have been passed so far. Last Friday, the fourth package of sanctions was passed by the Swiss government and it will be applied,” declared the President.

Defending Ukraine's independence and sovereignty

Both Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Swiss President Ignazio Cassis agree that it is crucial to help defend Ukraine's independence and sovereignty by bringing about peace as soon as possible and to prevent subsequent large migration waves.

“Refugees from Ukraine would like to return to their homeland but, in order for this to happen, there must be peace," said the Prime Minister. He emphasised that it is essential to create sufficient conditions in our eastern neighbour for those people to come back by rebuilding the country.

“Switzerland, Poland and the entire European Union are ready for a great plan of reconstruction after the end of the war," said the Prime Minister. He also stressed that today it is necessary to focus on political and diplomatic actions to bring the war to an end. A very strong sanction policy towards Russia can help achieve this.

Polish aid to Ukraine

More than 2 million people from Ukraine have already arrived in Poland. Those who have crossed the border into Poland due to the war can count on comprehensive humanitarian, logistical, operational and financial assistance. The great humanitarian operation for Ukraine involves state and local authorities but also thousands of Poles. There are already several dozen reception points in our country, established by governors in cooperation with local authorities, prepared for refugees from Ukraine. There, they receive information about their stay, basic medical care, a place to rest and temporary accommodation.

There is also a logistics hub near Lublin for aid directed into the Ukrainian territory. Every day, lorries from the Government Strategic Reserve Agency cross the Polish-Ukrainian border. We help by donating food, dressing materials and medicines.

Law regulating aid to Ukraine

On 12 March, the act on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in view of the armed conflict on the territory of the country entered into force. It regulates further assistance. Its provisions include ones on the possibility of taking up employment in our country as well as ensuring health care and access to education. Thanks to the act, citizens of Ukraine will be able to legally stay in Poland for 18 months. Financial support will also be given to people who have taken Ukrainian citizens in.

The act provides for the possibility of assigning a PESEL number to Ukrainian citizens who came to Poland due to the war. This solution will enable the provision of a number of public services to these people. Since the launch of the registration system, over 120,000 refugees from Ukraine have received a PESEL number.