2020-10-12 13:28 update: 2020-10-12, 18:59
President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda (L) and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (P) during a press conference at the Mariinsky Palace in Kiev. The President of the Republic of Poland is visiting Ukraine. Photo PAP / Leszek Szymański
Polish President Andrzej Duda and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky appealed, in a joint declaration signed on Monday in Kiev, for an end to the "illegal occupation" of Crimea and to the ongoing aggression in the Donbas region of Ukraine.
The Polish presidential couple have been in Ukraine since Sunday and started the political part of the visit on Monday. Following the greeting ceremony, the two presidents met face to face. Talks are also planned between the Polish and Ukrainian delegations, which will cover bilateral relations, historical issues, economic ties and security.
In the declaration, the presidents addressed, among other issues, the situation in eastern Ukraine.
"We emphasize Poland's and Ukraine's respect for international law and the fundamental principles of international relations, while calling for an end to the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the ongoing aggression in the Donbas region," the document states.
According to the declaration, the Polish side expressed interest in cooperation with Ukraine in the international platform for the 'de-occupation' of Crimea. Both sides highlighted the right of citizens of all countries to decide their future through democratic elections.
The document also includes confirmation of Poland's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and its internationally recognised borders. (PAP)
