Latest News: War in Ukraine: Russia used the Security Council meeting to expose allegations of child abduction
WARSAW — Regarded as the hero of conquest who saved Europe from Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky, on his first official state visit to Poland, on Wednesday won strong support for the move. His country quickly joined NATO and signed an agreement that paved the way for the joint production of arms and ammunition.
While street protests by Polish farmers angered by the flooding of Ukrainian grain imports took a sour note — and prompted the resignation of Poland’s agriculture minister shortly after he Zelensky to Warsaw — the Ukrainian leader met with a warm reception in the Polish capital, decorated with the flags of the two neighboring countries.
Poland and Ukraine have a troubled and sometimes violent history, but Mr Zelensky said in an emotional speech thanking the Polish people for their strong support against Russia and for their protection. million refugees, sharing a common “enemy”: President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and his predecessors in the Kremlin.
“He will be responsible for the rest of his life here on earth,” Mr Zelensky said in a speech outside the Royal Castle, which was rebuilt after Warsaw was almost completely destroyed. during World War II and was a powerful symbol of Poland. post-war revival.
President Andrzej Duda said: “Just as Polish society tried to rebuild the Royal Castle, so Ukraine, with our support, with the support of the Western community, all nations Families and people of good will, will rebuild it more beautiful than it was.”
For all their shared bravery and optimism about Ukraine’s chances of victory, Mr Zelensky, at a press conference with his Polish counterpart, offered a glimpse of the grave danger The critical situation his army faced, especially in the eastern city of Bakhmut, was being crushed. and brutal conflict since last summer.
Pointing out that Ukrainian forces could withdraw from Bakhmut if they were in danger of being surrounded by Russian troops, he said: “If there is a time of hotter events and the risk that we might lose personnel Due to the siege, appropriate measures will certainly be taken. decision of the general on the ground.”
Swapping his signature olive green sweatshirt for a more formal black one, Mr Zelensky began his visit with a welcome ceremony at the presidential palace attended by the honor guard. and military band. Then the formal fanfare gave way to a day of meetings with Polish leaders focused on military cooperation and how to push Ukraine to join both NATO and the European Union, hosting the year. gave his country the status of a “candidate”.
With the military alliance unlikely to admit Ukraine anytime soon, Mr. Duda said Warsaw would push NATO leaders to provide “additional security guarantees” to Ukraine when they meet for the regular summit. year this summer.
He did not specify what these would be, saying only that they served as a “prelude” to full membership, a goal “in which Poland has always strongly supported Ukraine”.
A pillar of NATO’s eastern flank, Poland is one of only seven countries in the 31-nation alliance to meet spending targets and has enjoyed significant influence within the alliance since Russia began its war. a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
Just before Mr. Zelensky arrived in Warsaw, the US Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski, joined officials from the Polish Ministry of Defense at a military base west of the capital for the opening of a complex Huge military warehouse where American tanks and tanks will be stored. other hardware. Brzezinski described it as “the largest single infrastructure project funded by NATO in 30 years”.
Rather than restrict NATO’s expansion to former Soviet satellite states in Eastern and Central Europe, one of the main goals set forth by Mr. Putin, the Kremlin’s military offensive into Ukraine has “bring Poland and the United States are drawing closer together for a common goal.” said the ambassador. US Army opened last month first permanent garrison in Poland.
“Today we are continuing to expand the enduring military footprint of the United States in Poland,” Brzezinski said.
