Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledged unwavering support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia during a visit to Kyiv on Monday.
Tusk announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, which includes a loan for the purchase of larger weapons and a commitment to explore joint manufacturing opportunities.
Tusk's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also addressed recent tensions between the two countries over grain shipments and trucking. The Polish Prime Minister stated that they had reached "an understanding" to resolve these issues through dialogue.
The visit comes at a time when Ukraine's allies are keen to reaffirm their commitment to the country's long-term defense. This follows concerns that Western support may be waning. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Frances new foreign minister have also visited Kyiv since the start of the year.
Tusk, who returned to power last month, met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal, during his visit. He emphasized that his government's policy towards Ukraine remains unchanged. Tusk framed the conflict as a broader struggle between Europe and Russia with implications beyond Ukraine, making it a priority for Poland.
"Today Ukraine is shouldering the security matters of the entire European continent, today Ukraine is paying the huge price of blood for the values that are fundamental to the free world," Tusk said. "Polands security is also at stake in this struggle."
Zelenskyy described the talks as "very productive" and confirmed that Polands new military aid would include a loan enabling Ukraine to purchase big-ticket weapons. The leaders also discussed potential opportunities for joint arms production.
Tusk's visit followed reports of Ukrainian shelling killing 27 people on the outskirts of Russian-occupied Donetsk. The Ukrainian military denied involvement in the attack, and it was not immediately possible to verify either side's claims.
Poland, located on NATOs eastern flank, has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies since Moscow's invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Warsaw has provided weapons and humanitarian aid, and opened its borders to Ukrainian refugees.
However, economic competition from Ukrainian food producers and truckers strained relations last year. Polish farmers and truckers protested, claiming their livelihoods were under threat. Tusk has stated that while Warsaw wants to assist Ukraine economically, it should not be at the expense of Polish businesses.
During his visit, Tusk was also scheduled to honor Ukraine's fighters and attend observances of Ukraine's Day of Unity. As part of the celebration, Zelenskyy signed a decree instructing the government to preserve the national identity of Ukrainians living in border regions now part of Russia.
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