Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. President!
I thank our teams for organizing this visit.
Dear attendees, ladies and gentlemen.
Dear journalists.
I am glad to be back in Poland on an official visit. I am grateful for our conversation, Mr. President, and I sincerely thank you for your frankness – this was our first such conversation. I view it positively and sincerely hope that this visit opens a new and even more meaningful chapter in our relations – relations between Ukraine and Poland; relations not merely between neighbors, but between two European elements without which there would simply be no freedom in our entire part of Europe. Because there would be no security. Ukrainian independence and Polish independence are the foundation that enables every nation in our part of Europe to live freely, as it should – without Moscow’s rule. That is why it is important that we cooperate, that we support one another, and that we coordinate in the defense of Europe and in the defense of our nations. Because protecting people is our foremost objective.
Today, President Nawrocki and I discussed the security situation above all – all matters related to the war and to diplomacy. I am grateful to Poland for its very tangible and very strong support for Ukraine and for Ukrainians since the beginning of the invasion. And in response to what Karol has just said, I would also like to express my gratitude and to recall President Duda, who supported us from the very start of the full-scale war. We are deeply grateful to him, and we thank you – the Polish people. And you know what is important: from the beginning of the invasion, and traditionally throughout all the years since the restoration of our independent statehood in 1991, Poland has always supported us; Poland has always stood with Ukraine. And we always strive to ensure that Poland is present in all processes that shape Europe’s future. In particular, Ukraine always invites Poland to take part in meetings of the Coalition of the Willing – this is our global work with partners that will determine what will form the basis of security – security from Russia – in our region after this war. President Nawrocki has taken part in contacts with the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. This summer, in August, it was important that Karol reminded President Trump of the anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw – we were having a conversation at that time. And that reference powerfully symbolized the significance of both Poland and Ukraine, and of our joint efforts to defend all of Europe.
Ukraine today is not only receiving support from our friends and neighbors – it is also offering its experience of defense in this war. Today, Ukraine possesses some of the most advanced technologies for protecting human life, as well as some of the strongest weapons production capabilities. Weapons that are modern and effective. And I am offering Poland all of this experience – we discussed this with the President today and will continue these contacts – all this experience. We want to show solidarity in strengthening our states, our region, our Europe. Ukraine is offering Poland consultations on protection against drones. We know how to repel every type of drone that Russia has and that can be used against our neighbors, against Poland, against other nations. We are ready to continue a security dialogue with Poland, taking into account threats coming from the territory of Belarus. Ukraine can also offer cooperation on maritime security issues. This is important in light of Poland’s positions in the Baltic Sea. I invite – and I raised this issue today – President Nawrocki to visit Ukraine. We are ready to demonstrate our industrial and security capabilities, which we possess and which can further strengthen our cooperation – as an expression of gratitude, above all gratitude, for Poland’s assistance to Ukraine.
Yesterday, the European Union adopted a historic decision for Ukraine regarding financial security guarantees. This decision gives Ukraine financial confidence for the coming years. Poland supported us – we are grateful for this. If Russia chooses to prolong this war – and this is exactly the kind of signals the entire world is hearing from Moscow, as they continue to threaten us – we will use these funds for defense. Precisely if they continue the war. If the world forces Russia into peace, we will use these funds exclusively for the reconstruction of our state. Russian assets remain frozen in Europe. It is important that the principle works: Russia must pay for this war that Russia itself started – and I ask Poland to continue supporting this – and Russia must not gain any benefit from this war. Otherwise, after attempts to divide Ukraine, there will be new attempts by Russia to divide other neighbors.
Ukraine intends to continue moving along the path of defense and development together with Poland. There are now various programs in Europe, including the SAFE defense program. We are ready to work within this program to produce precisely the weapons that will be truly modern and truly effective in countering the existing threats facing all of us. Ukraine has this expertise. Much has been said about the need for production in Europe – and we must also speak about deterrence and defense capabilities, including air defense systems, in particular Patriots. All of this must begin as soon as possible. We can work on this together. We will also be glad to see Polish companies involved in the reconstruction of our state. We discussed this today with the President, and we had a long conversation. It is important that there are joint projects – they always bring us together.
Two more special points.
Ukraine and Poland have walked side by side for centuries, and along this path there have been both heroic and, unfortunately, tragic chapters. We respect the Polish perspective on the path of our nations; we honor your memory of what has happened, and we count on your respect for our Ukrainian memory. We are ready to work together so that the ties between Ukraine and Poland give strength and foster development for our nations. Every victim who, tragically, lost their life deserves proper Christian commemoration. Every historical figure who contributes to greater unity and mutual understanding deserves due respect. Ukraine sincerely hopes that this is exactly how it will be – and I am confident this is in the interest of all our people. We discussed this today with Karol, and it is important that search and exhumation works are already underway, with the first results achieved this year. Our institutes of national memory discussed this today in our presence, and we will continue to support them on this track. Poland took in many Ukrainians after the start of the invasion, and we are grateful for this. We remember how it was. There are sometimes difficult moments in our societies, but we – as presidents – must shape policies that keep us together. Without Ukraine’s independence, without the independence of our state, Moscow would inevitably reach everywhere and move further into Europe. Without our independence, Moscow would inevitably come for Poland. That is why it is important that we stand firm. It is important that you stand firm. It is vitally important that Ukraine and Poland stand firm – and that we stand together.
I would like to thank the President for this visit – for the first official visit by a foreign leader to Poland. I am grateful for this high level. And I, of course, invite the President to visit Ukraine.
And I am confident that this is important for our societies. You raised this issue, Mr. President, in your remarks regarding public opinion. Ukraine is always grateful to Poland – and will always remain grateful, remembering all these days of Russia’s disgraceful aggression against us. At the same time, Ukraine has always defended itself and, by doing so, has defended Europe as well. And we have paid the highest price – the lives of our people, our families, our children. I believe it is critically important that the alliance between our states be strong. And we must do everything to ensure it is stronger than ever – and that this alliance endures. It is important. There are risks, of course. There are external factors. But we, as leaders, must continue working to ensure that this strong alliance remains in place. This also depends on the rhetoric in both our countries. All of us must be attentive – more attentive – respectful of one another, and very cautious. Russia seeks discord; it wants to undermine such a strong alliance – the alliance of two nations, of many generations of Ukrainians and Poles. We will not let them do that.
Glory to Ukraine!
