Poland in the UK

A year ago, in the early hours of 24 February, Russia launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, air, and sea. That night, the world woke to the sound of missiles and bombs exploding over peaceful Ukrainian cities. Moscow’s unprovoked, unjustified, and barbaric aggression against its sovereign and independent neighbour not only opened a new chapter in the history of the world but also changed the security architecture in Europe. 

However, in a show of remarkable courage and defiance against the aggressor, in his last face-to-face conversation with other world leaders before the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “If Putin thinks that he would control Ukraine and that his army would just enter and take her land, he’s deeply mistaken. You are going to see: Russians will not pass through”. 

He was right. And the men he said those words to, Andrzej Duda and Gitanas Nausėda, are the presidents of two countries that have been standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine long before Russia’s brutal full-scale attack began. For in its resilient, unbreakable, and rightfully proud fight against Russian invaders, Ukraine has not been alone. Poland and Lithuania have been unwavering in helping their besieged neighbour through political, military, and humanitarian assistance, especially in the Lublin Triangle Format. 

After months of build-up on Ukraine’s border, the whole world held its breath as Russian tanks rolled into the country. Despite the horror of the invasion, Vladimir Putin failed to take Kyiv thanks to the now legendary bravery of the Ukrainian people. However, this has come at a cost. Even though death and destruction are impossible to express in statistics, the toll of war gives a grim insight into the consequences of Russia’s imperialistic ambitions in Ukraine.

Civilians continue to pay too high a price as casualties amount to 21,000 – although the true number is surely substantially higher. Countless homes, schools, roads, and bridges have been destroyed, with hospitals and religious facilities also coming under attack, while torn-down infrastructure and disrupted services have made the lives of ordinary Ukrainians immeasurably difficult. The financial cost of reconstruction? Most likely hundreds of billions of pounds. 

But through this devastating picture shines a beam of hope. Over the past 12 months, the heroic Ukrainian people have not only defended vast swathes of their motherland, but also mounted an extraordinary counteroffensive to push the Russians back, so that they now control only about one-fifth of Ukraine – a fifth too much. 

This effort has been supported by multidimensional aid offered by the international community, with Poland and Lithuania among those leading the way. Guided by common history and shared values, our countries became one of the first to provide Ukraine with unconditional assistance on an unprecedented scale. We are Ukraine’s closest frontline partners, humanitarian suppliers, and logistical hub.

What’s more, faced with this tragic turn of events, maintaining cross-Atlantic and Pan-European unity and determination has been of paramount importance. Poland and Lithuania have inspired Nato allies and EU partners to act in solidarity with Ukraine to an unparalleled degree. We are rebuilding European architecture by strengthening Nato’s eastern flank. Thanks to Poland and Lithuania’s efforts to achieve consensus within the EU, European leaders have formally accepted Ukraine as a candidate to join the EU. 

We have also taken on a leadership role through the adoption of sanctions aimed at weakening Russia’s ability to finance its war on Ukraine and specifically targeting the political, military, and economic elite responsible for the invasion. Restrictive measures have been applied to around 1,500 individuals and 176 entities, consisting of asset freezes and travel bans.

Crucially, Poland is one of the top donors of military aid to Ukraine alongside the US and the UK, providing arms, munitions, and military equipment worth over €3 billion. Poland was also the first to announce the delivery of 14 Leopard 2 tanks, which became key to building a broader coalition of countries supplying Ukraine with Western-made tanks. 

Meanwhile, Lithuania, in its show of support, granted €410 million in military assistance, including weapons, ammunition, and unmanned aerial vehicles. It has already pledged 36 portable anti-aircraft systems and helicopters to defend the skies of Ukraine. What’s more, Lithuanian people and NGOs have crowdfunded €60 million through the “RADAROM!” campaign for combat drones and multi-functional tactical radars, which, alongside their anti-drone equipment, help to protect critical infrastructure. Just like Britain, Poland and Lithuania too are training Ukrainian soldiers. 

Most of all, however, Polish and Lithuanian people have opened their hearts and homes to their Ukrainian neighbours. Poland has become Europe’s largest donor to Ukraine, allocating €8.5 billion in humanitarian aid. Famously, we have become a safe haven for around 1.5 million people from Ukraine, incorporating them into our society, and we have helped millions more to pass through Poland on their way to other countries. 

For those who have stayed in Ukraine, Lithuania has delivered the largest amount of generators and transformers among EU member states – 1,160 and 269 respectively – with their assistance to the country’s energy sector amounting to €10 million. Lithuania is vital to keeping Ukraine’s lights and heating on. 

Today, we mark one year of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a brainchild of a dangerous, deluded autocrat in the Kremlin. We mourn the lives lost and ruined, but also bow before Ukraine’s unbreakable spirit of resistance. Poles and Lithuanians understand what fighting for freedom, democracy, and existence means. Our message to everyone fighting for these values in Ukraine today is clear: we will continue standing with you – until victory.

Vadym Prystaiko is the Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK

Piotr Wilczek is the Polish Ambassador to the UK

Eitvydas Bajarūnas is the Lithuanian Ambassador to the UK 

The article is available on The Telegraph's website.