The Office of the President of Ukraine has released the text of a joint statement by Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk following talks on 15 January.
According to the document, the security and defence of Europe is a ‘common interest and responsibility’ of Ukraine and Poland.
‘The security deficit that exists in Europe is primarily caused by Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. We will work together to stop Russia's war against Ukraine and restore comprehensive, just and lasting peace and security in Europe. Both sides will support and promote the Victory Plan of the President of Ukraine and the Ukrainian formula for peace, which are based on the key principles of international law,’ the signatories stressed.
Both countries will work with European partners to ‘make Europe more secure, stronger, and safer’. This includes, in particular, the use of frozen Russian assets for the effective functioning of the Assistance Fund for Ukraine under the European Peace Fund.
Poland will also facilitate Ukraine's accession process with a view to opening Cluster 1 of the Foundations and, if possible, other negotiating clusters.
The countries see an urgent need to strengthen Europe's defence capabilities and to coordinate relevant efforts with NATO allies. Therefore, they will persuade their partners that ‘the European defence industry programme should properly reflect Ukraine's role in the development of the European defence sector’.
The statement also emphasised the need to strengthen coordination in the fight against Russian disinformation and cyberattacks in order to strengthen Europe's resilience to such hostile actions.
In addition, Poland will advocate for further EU assistance to Ukraine, in particular through stable budgetary funding under both the Ukraine Facility and the EU's exceptional macro-financial assistance, as well as assistance aimed at restoring energy infrastructure, humanitarian demining and other urgent needs.
The statement also mentioned Europe's energy independence.
‘It is crucial that Europe completely ends its dependence on Russian energy resources. We can no longer rely on an aggressor state and supplier that uses energy as a tool of war. This means that Europe must strive for greater integration and self-sufficiency in energy supply. The completion of the EU energy market and closer energy cooperation with Ukraine can increase energy security, diversify energy supplies and reduce energy prices,’ the signatories stressed.
The states will work in accordance with the provisions of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, to improve, where possible, the movement of people, goods and capital by enhancing connectivity and modernising border crossing infrastructure,u as well as to restore and rebuild Ukraine with the appropriate involvement of international actors, including EU Member States and institutions.
Zelenskyy and Tusk mentioned Ukraine's integration into the EU single market and a constructive dialogue on historical issues. Poland assured that it was ready to share its experience of negotiating accession to the EU with Ukraine.