On Monday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Kiev, where he spoke, among other things, about Poland’s commitment to Ukraine’s political and military support, and referring to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, he stated:
“Those who quietly support Putin are betraying Europe in every possible way, so they will be remembered and will not be forgiven.”
A Euractiv reports In a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Tusk said “Poland is ready to support Ukraine with equipment and aid packages” and that his government would invest in Polish and Ukrainian companies that would “increase our defense capabilities – the defense capabilities of Ukraine, Poland and Europe.” to work”.
Relations between Warsaw and Kiev became strained in 2023 after the EU eased trade rules against Ukraine, causing cheaper Ukrainian imports to flood the Polish market, crowding out local producers. After the European Commission refused to restore trade restrictions against the country, Poland and other affected countries neighboring Ukraine (including Hungary) introduced a unilateral ban on the import of certain products of Ukrainian origin.
Polish truck drivers have been blocking border crossings with Ukraine since November. The truck drivers’ protest, which has now been suspended until March 1, was initiated by Donald Tusk himself. Now, on his first visit to Kyiv as prime minister, he struck a much friendlier tone with Zelensky.
At the meeting, the Ukrainian president said that he understands the reasons “that led to this situation, but we pay attention to the threats to nations that are very close to us, so we have to solve all problems in the most pragmatic way.”
Zelensky also stated that “solidarity with Ukraine cannot be destroyed by any obstacles and blockades” and that he “strongly supports the Polish government’s measures to remove such obstacles.”
At the December meeting of the European Council, Viktor Orbán vetoed the 50 billion euro financial aid package intended for Ukraine. EU leaders will meet again at an emergency summit on February 1 to discuss the issue, and Tusk, as he reaffirmed in Kiev, remains convinced that the EU bloc is “with or without Orban” but will find a way to to provide support and rapid aid for Ukraine’s EU integration despite the protracted war.
