2024-03-28 14:54 update: 2024-04-03, 21:28
Photo PAP/Marcin Obara
Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, has said that Ukraine can “continue to count on Poland’s support” despite a trade dispute that has clouded the relationship between the two countries in recent months.
Tusk, in his comments at a joint press conference held with his Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal, in Warsaw on Thursday spoke of "Poland's unwavering support for Ukraine across multiple fronts, including in the areas of military and financial assistance, diplomatic advocacy, and backing Ukraine's integration with the EU and Nato."
Relations between the two countries have been stressed by a trade dispute over the import of Ukrainian grain into Poland.
But Tusk said that Ukraine could "continue to count on Poland's support in the future, just as it had in the past and present."
While acknowledging that disputes could be "visible to the naked eye" in any democracy, including in Poland, Tusk said that when it came to the issue of support for Ukraine, "Poles stood united across political divides."
"Even the closest of friends have conflicting interests and viewpoints at times, however, they can discuss these matters openly and honestly without any hidden agendas.
"Despite normal democratic differences, Poles will remain united during this dramatic time in their shared history," he continued.
He added that the talks had ended with "an even deeper conviction that no force in the world, neither in Ukraine nor Poland, could undermine their friendship, solidarity and cooperation."
"This is especially true given the common threat posed by Russian aggression against Ukraine, and Russia's aggressive policies towards the entire European and Western communities," said the Polish prime minister. (PAP)
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