Two years into the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland handed Ukraine 44 aid packages totaling almost $9 billion.
This was stated by the head of the Polish Foreign Ministry, Radoslaw Sikorski, as he spoke in Polish parliament, commenting on the priorities of Poland’s foreign policy for 2024, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“Since the full-scale aggression start, Poland has approved 44 packages of military aid to Ukraine. The total cost of Polish government support, excluding the multibillion-dollar sums given to refugees, amounted to about $9 billion in the first two years of war,” Sikorski emphasized.
He noted that Poland joined the G7 declaration on mutual long-term commitments to Ukraine.
“As a neighboring country, a military, humanitarian, and energy hub, we want to participate in the formation of these obligations, and not observe them from the outside while others do the work,” the head of Polish diplomacy stated.
He noted that the priority of the Polish government’s European policy will be the support of Ukraine’s independence, in particular in its efforts to join the EU.
“The strategic goal also remains the gradual inclusion of Ukraine in Euro-Atlantic organizations in the broadest sense,” the head of Polish diplomacy emphasized.
At the same time, the minister noted that Warsaw will take care of the interests of Polish businesses, in particular farmers and cargo carriers, who have been blocking the Polish-Ukrainian border since November last year.
Sikorski highlighted certain fears existing in Poland regarding the economic aspect of Ukraine’s European integration. However, he recalled that during Poland’s accession to the EU in 2024, the West also feared potential competition from Poland but now Western companies are willing to invest in Poland, and, in his opinion, the same will happen to Ukraine in the future.
According to the top diplomat, in 2023, the value of Polish exports to Ukraine was estimated at 52 billion zlotys, which is 30 billion more against 2022. Sikorski emphasized that Ukraine’s victory in the war will give Polish companies even more opportunities.
According to the head of the Foreign Ministry, Polish companies will participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine. To support these efforts, the position of a government commissioner for the reconstruction of Ukraine has been created in Warsaw, and soon a representative office of the UN office for project maintenance will launch its work in Poland.
Sikorski also said that in 2024, supporting Ukraine will remain Poland’s priority in the field of development.
“We will focus on the most urgent needs related to educational and healthcare infrastructure and support the modernization of the country – the strengthening of Ukrainian self-government and the reform that prepares it for EU membership,” said the head of Polish diplomacy.
The Polish minister added that over the past two years, Poland has become the main donor of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. According to him, the ministries in the Polish government provided EUR 16 billion for comprehensive assistance to Ukraine and Ukrainian war refugees.
He also thanked the Poles for their support to displaced Ukrainians in Poland, noting that as of today there are 950,000 Ukrainians in Poland who arrived in the country after February 24, 222, although in more than two years, several times more have found their refuge there.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, during a speech in the Polish parliament, Sikorski assured that Poland has no territorial claims to Ukraine, as alleged by Russian propaganda in order to pit the two nations against each other.
© 2024 Ukrinform News
Dyakuyem, Polska! ✌️
🇵🇱💙💛🇺🇦
Poland’s behavior has become contradictory since it began its constant blocking of borders. Maybe the Poles should rethink their overall strategy and find a solution to help eliminate their aiding Ukraine on the one hand and obstructing Ukraine on the other.
Yeah, Mr. Ofp (good to see you!), that has been confusing. While there has been an improvement at the border in the last days, it’s still a fact that pro-European PM Tusk has very much failed to impress so far. I wouldn’t be surprised if Putin has kompromat on him. After all, his party was involved in a really nasty corruption scandal some years ago. 🤔
P.S.: How’s the visit going? Do the Ukrainians have interesting stories to tell?
They constantly block and then unblock the borders, so any new unblocking might be followed by yet more blocking. It’s been an endless story for the past several months.
The visitation went well, Mr. Gray. They are already on their way back to Ukraine.
So, good patriots, unlike some cowards and egocentrists. My aunt-in-law went back to Ukraine, too, despite the possibility of staying in Germany. She wouldn’t leave her country alone in times of need. That’s the spirit! 🇺🇦🙂👍
Oh, that’s nice to hear, Mr. Gray. I didn’t know that you have a Ukrainian aunt-in-law. And, a patriotic one too.
Well, I did mention my distant relatives occasionally, when asked why I am so invested in Ukraine’s issues. I don’t want to post detailed infos about my family, but we’re proud of the Ukrainian inlaws, who are very educated folks with impressive talents. Sadly, there’s a language barrier preventing direct conversation with the grandma there, so the younger members have to translate. They all speak Ukrainian and refuse to use Russian, btw. As I said, very patriotic people!
🖖🙂🇺🇦
I must’ve missed the part about your Ukrainian relatives, Mr. Gray. I understand not divulging any important details about your family. None of us on here do this, and that’s the right thing to do.
I agree. Their eclectic behavior is confusing. Mister Miyagu from Karate kid has expressed my feeling… karate yes…ok karate no..ok karate so so…get swished like bug. I appreciate Polands assist but it seems like strings are attached IMO
Those strings might very well strangle them if Ukraine should lose and they are next in line for mafia land’s land grab.