The talks Minister Sikorski held in Kyiv focused on further financial and military support for the fighting Ukraine, prospects for the country’s membership of the European Union and NATO, and possibilities for enhanced Polish–Ukrainian cooperation as regards the reconstruction of Ukraine. The head of the Polish MFA also discussed current issues in bilateral relations. 

During the visit, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Defense Rustem Umierov, and Head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov. 

At the invitation of Minister Kuleba, Poland’s top diplomat arrived in Kyiv as a guest of honour of Ukraine’s Diplomatic Service Day and delivered a keynote speech on Polish–Ukrainian relations. In his address he also outlined general principles governing the negotiation process prior to accession to the European Union. Furthermore, the head of the Polish MFA stated that both Poland and the whole European Union need Ukraine’s membership. The Ukrainian side also stressed the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity. Ten years ago, the Polish foreign minister, together with his German and French counterparts, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Laurent Fabius respectively, supported Ukraine’s pro-European aspirations and helped to stop the bloodshed on the Maidan.

During a press conference held after the meeting with Minister Kuleba, the Polish top diplomat emphasised the heroism of the people of Ukraine, adding that they serve as inspiration for the whole of Europe. Minister Dmytro Kuleba stressed that the friendship with Poland will help to defeat Russia and unite Europe.

Minister Sikorski recalled that Ukraine chose its path towards Europe. Referring to the sounds of air-raid sirens, he said that this was the reason why he came to Ukraine, adding that it is unacceptable that Russia is bombing a neighbouring country which has not wronged Russia in any way. In his speech, the Polish official stressed that Moscow usurps the right to decide which peoples can consider themselves a nation and which are denied this possibility. “This is Russia’s last colonial war. Ukraine should win, and Russia should lose. This is what we think, regardless of who is in power in Poland,” emphasised Minister Sikorski.

“If Ukraine wins, it will boost the morale of the entire free world. That is why Ukraine must prevail,” added the minister during a press conference that concluded his visit to Kyiv.

Answering a question regarding the support for Ukraine, he stated that the problem is to switch the entire economy to a war mode. “One cannot win a war by means of tactical clashes but through production. If Europe mobilizes its efforts, Russia will lose,” he added.

“I once again feel that Poland is a true friend, because when Ukraine won the battle of Hostomel and recaptured Kherson the situation was easier. Now, with the impasse on the front line, we are faced with a real test who is ready to help,” noted the Polish diplomat.

Minister Sikorski stated that Russia has been doing worse in the war than it was predicted, while the European Union and the US have been supporting Ukraine more than it was expected.

During the talks, the politicians agreed that problems in Polish–Ukrainian relations should be settled through “a serious and constructive dialogue”. The Polish delegation to Kyiv included representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, who outlined Polish proposals to solve the problem of the border blockade by truckers and farmers.

Talking about the protest of truckers blocking the border crossing, Minister Sikorski stressed that the situation is complicated. Paweł Gancarz, a member of the delegation and Under Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure, said that officials are discussing the last details which he thinks will enable both sides to reach agreement.

Next, the head of Polish diplomacy laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine and lit a candle at a memorial to the Maidan Casulaties to pay homage to those who died defending Ukraine.

Choosing Kyiv as the destination of his first visit abroad since taking office, Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski symbolically underlined that Ukraine plays a priority role in Poland’s foreign policy and that Warsaw is ready to continue to actively support Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. 

 

More photos from Minister Radosław Sikorski’s visit are available in the Flickr MSZ album.

 

Photos: Konrad Laskowski/MFA