It is necessary to support Ukraine in any way possible

“Today, we want to, above all, show our solidarity with the Ukrainian people and with President Zelenskyy together,” stressed Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki after the meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Ukraine needs our immediate action and our most practical help. Poland actively supports Ukraine by providing military assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities and resilience in terms of defending its territorial integrity. For several days now, convoys carrying military equipment have been heading to Ukraine.

Poland is also organising humanitarian aid and cooperating with non-government organisations. In partnership with Ukraine, we have undertaken actions at the border to ensure that refugees are provided with care at the highest standard. These actions are supported by the Polish Governmental Agency for Strategic Reserves. In agreement with the Ministries of Health, Interior and Administration and Infrastructure and in cooperation with Polish State Railways and other state-owned entities, we have also prepared the option to receive wounded from Ukraine. Poland has already received nearly 400,000 refugees from Ukraine. “We are fulfilling our humanitarian duty,” stated the Prime Minister and thanked the Poles for their involvement in helping the citizens of Ukraine.

Cooperation between Poland and Great Britain for Ukraine so far

Today’s visit by Prime Minister Boris Johnson is yet another meeting with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to be held recently. The two Prime Ministers had met in London in late November 2021. During that meeting, the Head of the Polish Government had already pointed out that the pressure exerted by Russia in terms of energy security, the increased military risk and the influence of Russian propaganda and disinformation were affecting the situation in Europe.

The last meeting between the two Prime Ministers took place on 10 February 2022 and concerned, among others, the serious geopolitical threats on the part of Russia and common actions under NATO. During that meeting, the Heads of the Governments talked about the security in the region, with a particular emphasis on Russian actions with respect to Ukraine. After the meeting at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, both Prime Ministers visited the British and Polish soldiers stationed at the military base in Wesoła.

At the end of 2021, over 100 soldiers from the British Corps of Royal Engineers have arrived in Poland to assist the soldiers from the Polish Armed Forces in, among others, repairing and installing a temporary fence at the border with Belarus. In February 2022, another 350 soldiers from the 45 Commando Royal Marines based in Arbroath, Scotland, have arrived in Poland. The British soldiers will provide support for the Polish Armed Forces.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki thanked for the presence of British units in Poland. “I am grateful for every British soldier who is supporting us here, on our Polish soil, as this support is very important for us right now”.

EU sanctions against the Russian Federation

Poland is undertaking extensive diplomatic action. The West has begun to share Poland’s standpoint. From the beginning, our country has been advocating harsh sanctions against Russia. Some have already been imposed.

The package of financial sanctions takes into account the specific nature of the Russian economic and financial sector, which is characterised by extensive political and financial links between the state, the banks and wealthy individuals. Actions also include a ban on selling, delivering, transferring and exporting specific goods and technologies which can be used in crude oil refining, as well as dual-use technologies, to Russia. In agreement with the USA, a decision has also been made to exclude significant Russian banks from the SWIFT payment system. Considerable limitations with respect to conducting financial transactions with the Central Bank of the Russian Federation have also been agreed.