As part of their trip, foreign ministers visited the Mechnikov Hospital, where participants of hostilities in eastern Ukraine received treatment, and toured the Anti-Terrorism Operation Museum. The ministers also held talks with Mariupol city and port authorities via a videolink. The discussions focused on the most urgent needs of the region’s community after Russia introduced restrictions in navigation in the Kerch Strait basin.

 Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, together with other ministers taking part in the visit, voiced support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and stressed the need for the EU to increase development assistance for coastal areas by the Azov Sea. He also noted that the EU needs to undertake actions to actively prevent Russia’s expansion in the region, and expressed solidarity with families of Ukrainian soldiers. “Poland will always support the pro-European choice of Ukrainians,” said the chief of Polish diplomacy.

 While in Kyiv, the top diplomats also met with President Petro Poroshenko, who thanked them for their commitment to strenthening Ukraine’s sovereignty. “The EU needs to keep actively pressuring Russia in terms of its aggressive actions, while Ukraine needs to continue its reforms,” stated Minister Czaputowicz.

 The visit in eastern Ukraine falls several weeks after the November incident with the Russian fleet at the Kerch Strait and in the Black Sea, which resulted in the seizure of Ukrainian vessels and detention of sailors. By visiting Ukraine, the chiefs of diplomacy of several EU Member States expressed their steadfast support for the country, stressing that there can be no acceptance of violations of international law and  territorial integrity of any member of international community.

 MFA Press Office

 

Fot. Sebastian Indra / MSZ