Since the Russian aggression, Poland has been actively involved in helping the war-stricken Ukraine. The provision and promotion of international support and necessary assistance is our highest priority.

The position of the Polish Government has always been clear – as a sovereign state, Ukraine has the right to decide about its future, including the implementation of its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. President Biden's visit to Poland and his participation in the meeting of the heads of the Ukrainian and American Ministries of National Defence and Foreign Ministries is also a clear message that the entire democratic world stands with Ukraine.

Polish support for Ukraine

The international community should focus on forcing Russia to withdraw from Ukraine and restore its territorial integrity rather than on achieving a 'diplomatic solution' to the conflict. The Polish government has consistently supported Ukraine's defence efforts by supplying weapons and drones, among other things.

At the same time, it remains our priority to strengthen NATO assistance. In addition to ongoing, immediate and short-term assistance, Poland stresses the need to plan further actions in the medium and long term. In the opinion of the Polish authorities, both the EU and NATO should be key partners in the reconstruction, reform of the defence sector and building of the defence of Ukraine.

Ukrainian-Russian negotiations in Istanbul

During the meeting between the Head of the Polish Government and Minister Kuleba, the results of the talks held so far in Istanbul were also discussed, along with the issue of the Ukrainian authorities' expectations with regard to international security guarantees, including the relations with NATO and the EU.

Further increase in sanctions

Although the EU response to the war is unprecedented, we agree that it is still insufficient. Therefore, we are exerting increased pressure on EU Member States to continue to adopt further sanctions packages affecting most sectors of the Russian economy.

These measures should include a ban on hydrocarbons (oil, coal and gas), banks and financial institutions, elements of a trade embargo, freezing of individual assets of oligarchs and companies responsible for funding Russia's military complex.

Ukraine reconstruction programme and the European perspective

Hit by the Russian invasion, Ukraine suffers huge material losses every day. We are already thinking about supporting its post-war reconstruction: we are examining possible measures to make Russia financially responsible for all costs and damages incurred by Ukraine during the war.

Poland supports the development of a European perspective for Ukraine. Since the submission of the application, we have strongly supported the acceleration of this process in order to grant Ukraine candidate status.

Refugee crisis and humanitarian aid

The Polish authorities remain in constant contact with the Ukrainian administration to discuss current humanitarian needs. We pass on the information we obtain to other countries and international forums in order to respond as fully as possible to the needs communicated to us. Our activities allowed many international organisations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to provide support.

We strongly condemn Russia's deliberate actions leading to a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine. This is a willful violation of the basic principles of international humanitarian law.

Russian war crimes

Every day of the conflict means further war crimes committed by Russian forces. The barbaric attacks on hospitals, schools and places of refuge for women and children must be seen not only as violations of international law but also as actions against the universal principles of our civilisation.

Poland remains ready to facilitate the investigations of the International Criminal Court in Hague into these war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan, recently visited Poland to discuss prospects for future cooperation and the conditions of the investigation.

We have launched the Raphael Lemkin Centre for Documenting Russian Crimes in Ukraine, which documents Russian crimes in Ukraine using all available methods, including the collection of refugee testimonies.