Situation beyond the eastern border

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Security and Defense Committee Jarosław Kaczyński together with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala and Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša are going to Kyiv today as representatives of the European Council to meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmyhal.

The government is finalising activities related to ensuring Poland's gas independence. The Baltic Pipe gas pipeline will be completed later this year. It will enable – for the first time in history – the transmission of gas directly from deposits located in Norway to Danish and Polish markets, as well as to customers in the neighbouring countries of Central and Eastern Europe. We are also expanding the existing gas transmission system in Poland. Today, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited the natural gas compressor station in Goleniów, which is a part of the gas pipeline.

The situation in Ukraine and security related to the defence and energy policy of the European Union were the main topics of the discussion during the two-day informal meeting of the EU heads of states and governments in Paris. The leaders spoke in favour of the Euro-integration of Ukraine. The further economic development of the European Union and a new European investment plan were also discussed. The Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasised that there was a great determination to become independent from Russian resources.

On 10 March 2022, the Polish PM held two crucial meetings with the Vice President of the United States and Prime Minister of Canada. The main topics of the talks included coordinating the international community’s response to Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine and increasing comprehensive aid to Ukrainians. In addition, the politicians discussed the security of the transatlantic community and sanctions against Russia. Strengthening NATO’s eastern flank and security in this region is crucial for us.

Strengthening and coordinating comprehensive assistance to Ukraine and reinforcing sanctions against Russia in the energy sector, among others, were the main topics of the meeting between Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Karl Nehammer in Vienna. This is yet another international visit of the Prime Minister as part of the ongoing coordination efforts of the Polish government for a solidarity-based European response to Russia’s unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. The Prime Minister pointed out that a new geopolitical order of the world is now taking shape.

The head of the Polish government met with Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The main topic was help for people crossing our eastern border because of the war in Ukraine. UNHCR will commit to helping, also financially, Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

The meeting was devoted to coordinating actions in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as political, economic, social, and humanitarian consequences of Russia’s war on a neighbouring state. In the discussion with Secretary Blinken, we raised the most important issues arising from the ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine - Poland's two eastern neighbours – both for Polish-American bilateral relations and for allied cooperation within NATO, as well as for the coordination of political activities in the OSCE.

We have simplified the border crossing procedure for trucks with humanitarian aid for Ukraine at two border crossing points: in Korczowa and in Dorohusk. Simplified customs clearance is possible on the basis of a completed and submitted form. As a result, Ukraine will more quickly receive humanitarian aid provided by Poland and the rest of the free world. Thank you for helping Ukraine!

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has met in Rzeszów with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Talks concerned primarily the current situation in Ukraine and reinforcement of the eastern flank of NATO. There are currently over 10 thousand American soldiers stationed in Poland. This week, the Head of the Polish Government also talked over the phone with Vice-President of the United States Kamala Harris about support and assistance for Ukraine in light of the barbaric aggression on the part of Russia. President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda also communicates on a regular basis with President of the United States Joe Biden.

- Over the past 24 hours, 106 thousand people from Ukraine have arrived in Poland. That is the highest result in these ten days. More people are still arriving. Since the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine until today, nearly 800 thousand people have crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border fleeing from the bombs falling on their homeland - said Deputy Minister Paweł Szefernaker at a morning briefing. It took place in front of the Warsaw Torwar, currently serving as a reception point for refugees. The briefing was also attended by Konstanty Radziwiłł, the Mazovian voivode.