President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed the Polish Sejm. Addressing the citizens of Ukraine's neighbouring country and its leadership, the Ukrainian head of state stressed that Poland is side by side with Ukraine in counteracting Russian aggression.
He expressed gratitude that Polish citizens have accepted Ukrainian women and children forced to leave their homeland as their family, in a brotherly way. A common European future unites Ukraine and Poland.
"We have already formed a strong union. There is peace between our peoples," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Here is the President's speech in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland.
Dear Mr President, my friend Andrzej! Dear Mrs Marshal of the Seim! Dear Mr Marshal of the Senate! Ladies and gentlemen, deputies and senators! Dear Polish brothers and sisters!
When I became President in 2019, it felt like we had a long way to go with Poland because our relationship and attitude was cold.
It had already happened so. However, I wanted to go through this way to warmth fast because we are such nations. I knew that we are relatives by nature, Ukrainians and Poles.
I remember my first encounters with Andrzej. Everything changed with every new meeting. The coolness disappeared. We understood each other.
Like a Ukrainian and a Pole, like Europeans, like parents who love their families and realize that our children must live in a world of the same good values, our shared values.
Our people must live in a world where nations are independent, where freedom reigns, where the family matters, and where no one ever has the right to wage a war of aggression.
The number 7 is believed to bring happiness. That is the number of neighbours God has given to Ukraine. Does it bring us joy? The whole world knows the answer today.
And 78 Ukrainian children who died from Russian rockets and shelling know the answer better than others. A neighbour who brought trouble and war to our land. A neighbour who obviously acts without God. When there is someone who beats like a beast, it is crucial to have someone who will lend a hand. And when the foot of the enemy enters your house, they will lend a helping hand.
On the morning of 24 February, I had no doubt who it would be, who would tell me, "Brother, we will not leave your people alone with the enemy." And so it happened. Polish brothers and sisters are with us, which is natural. And I'm grateful for that.
Just in one day, the first day of the war, it became clear to me and all Ukrainians, and I am sure - to all Poles. It became clear that there are no physical, historical or personal borders between us, between our peoples.
For the 16 days of this war, Ukrainian pride and Polish honour, Ukrainian courage in battles and Polish sincerity in helping us allow me to say essential words now. The words that there is absolute peace between our peoples - peace between relatives, peace between brothers.
And now I want these words to be heard by our common neighbours, Belarusians.
Peace between relatives and peace between brothers. We have to be at peace with them too! We will definitely be!
Dear Polish brothers and sisters!
For a long time, various "interested parties" tried to create the impression that Ukrainians and Poles live differently and without helping each other. Why did they do it?
I will recall the words of the President of the Republic of Poland Lech Kaczynski, who said in Tbilisi in 2008, "We know very well: today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine, the day after tomorrow the Baltic countries, and then, perhaps, the time will come for my country - Poland".
On 24 February, this terrible "tomorrow" for Ukraine, which President Kaczynski spoke about, came.
And today, we are fighting so that such a wrong time does NOT come for the Baltic countries and Poland. We have strength. We are fighting together.
Remember, there are 90 million of us together! We can do everything together. And this is the historical mission, both Poland and Ukraine's historical mission - to be leaders who together will pull Europe out of this abyss, save it from this threat, and stop the transformation of Europe into a victim.
Dear ladies and gentlemen! We can do it.
We saw yesterday what the EU countries were talking about. We saw WHO was a natural leader and fought for a strong Europe and common European security. We also saw who tried to stop us. Who wanted to stop you.
We understand why fighting side by side with us is so vital for Poles, together with all those who care for freedom and Europe.
We remember the catastrophe near Smolensk in 2010. We remember all the investigation facts into the circumstances of this catastrophe. We feel what it means to you and the silence of those who know everything mean to you, but they still look at Russia.
Polish brothers and sisters! We have already formed a powerful alliance, even if it is informal. But this union has grown out of reality, not from words on paper.
It has grown from the warmth in our hearts, not from the politicians' speeches at summits. It has grown from how you treated our people, the Ukrainians who felt safe on your land from the evil that came to our land.
More than one and a half million citizens of Ukraine, the vast majority of whom are women and children, do not feel like they are in a foreign land.
You met our people in your families with Polish delicacy and brotherly kindness; although we did not ask for it, you did not ask anything in return either. It's just between relatives.
That's why I address you so simply: friend Andrzej! Dear Agata! That's why I claim that we have already united, according to the great Pole, a close friend of Ukraine, the blessed memory of John Paul II, to win and create freedom constantly.
Today, I cannot be sure of all the leaders of all nations. Nevertheless, I am sure that we will defend freedom with you as much as needed.
I am grateful for all the help we have already received from your country and people. I am thankful for your efforts to secure the Ukrainian sky. I believe that we will be able to achieve a desperately needed result.
If we win this war, God willing, we will share the victory with our brothers and sisters.
It is our greatness and your greatness.
It is fighting for our and your freedom.
It is the shared history of great nations!
God bless us to win!
Long live free Poland!
Long live free Ukraine!
