Relations between Ukraine and Poland have improved, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. In an audio briefing with journalists on 17 October, he thanked the Polish people and the country’s prime minister.
Support is very important for Ukraine, he said, stressing that there is only one enemy — Russia. And Moscow is very concerned about a strong alliance between Kyiv and Warsaw, the president believes.
“We only need to strengthen our relations. And we should try to resolve any difficult decisions more calmly. We will resolve very complex issues — I am confident of that,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
For this week’s meeting with EU leaders in Brussels, the president flew from the airport in Rzeszów. Earlier, amid a deterioration in relations between Kyiv and Warsaw this year, the president used Moldova’s airport.
Context
In the summer, the Polish government expressed dissatisfaction with the president’s decision to name a Ukrainian unit after the Heroes of the UPA. Warsaw demanded an end to honouring UPA and OUN fighters, threatening to block accession.
The Polish president stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, after which the second, third and fifth presidents declined it. In response, Polish public figures refused Ukrainian awards.
Despite this, a Recovery Conference took place in Gdańsk in June. Ukraine was represented by a team led by the prime minister — the president decided not to go.
This year, attacks on Ukrainian citizens in Poland have also become more frequent.