The minister was accompanied by OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid.

The head of Polish diplomacy began his visit to Ukraine by laying flowers in Bucha, where Russian army carried out a massacre of civilian population in the first days of the war. 

“The enormous scale of crimes perpetrated in Bucha, Irpin, Borodianka, and other places brings to mind the worst experiences of the 20th century. Those responsible should be punished.” The visit in Bucha was also an opportunity to see a modular town, financed by Poland, which has been built for the internally displaced persons who lost their homes as a result of the war.

Subsequently, the OSCE’s chairman-in-office spoke with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba. The talks focused on current situation in Ukraine, the OSCE’s work, and improving humanitarian situation of communities affected by conflicts.

Minister Rau stressed the need for actions to end the war in the country and assured of the willingness to continue the OSCE’s presence and work in Ukraine. In this context, the chairman-in-office announced the OSCE’s plan to launch a special support programme for Ukraine worth EUR 30 million. “Under the programme, 25 projects will be carried out, building on trust, partnership, and the invaluable experience the OSCE gained over the past 28 years in Ukraine,” said Minister Rau.

Later on, the OSCE chairman-in-office met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The head of Polish diplomacy expressed his respect for the courage and perseverance of Ukrainians and state authorities.

“The prerequisite for launching dialogue between the two sides is ending Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the entire territory of the country in its internationally recognised borders. The damage and suffering that the aggression has inflicted on millions of people defy description. The violence has to stop. Ukraine and its people need peace and deserve it,” said Minister Rau.

The meetings were also an opportunity to note the extraordinary growth of intensity of bilateral relations between Poland and Ukraine.

“Poland is Ukraine’s friend. Solidarity and cooperation, which have been forged between our nations over the past 30 years, and in particular over the recent weeks, strengthen our partnership and good neighbourly relations,” said the minister.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Spokesperson

Photo: Sebastian Indra/MFA