“On my way home, I met with a friend of Ukraine – Polish President Andrzej Duda. We summarised a year that brought historic challenges due to a full-scale war. We also discussed strategic plans for the future, bilateral relations and interactions at the international level in 2023. Thank you for your unwavering and powerful support!” wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski on Telegram.

The Chancellery of the President of Poland said that President Andrzej Duda met on Thursday 22 December in Rzeszów with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski, who was returning to the country after a visit to the United States.

The one-on-one talks and the delegation meeting led by the presidents lasted two hours. Volodymyr Zelenski briefed Andrzej Duda on the details of the US visit. The leaders also discussed the state of bilateral Polish-Ukrainian relations in the wake of the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Speaking to TVN24, the head of the presidential Office for International Policy, Jakub Kumoch, said that the Ukrainian side gave an account of what it had heard in Washington and noted that most of the information was classified.

“The message is very, very optimistic. This is the most important message that can be given”, Minister Kumoch said.

As the head of the Office of International Policy of the President’s Office noted, Russia was hoping to use the winter to whip up war fatigue in the West and was creating such a media atmosphere to make some Western countries want to argue for immediate concessions.

“The Ukrainians received a very clear assurance from the US that this is not the case, and the US will continue to stand by them”, stressed Kumoch, adding that the Ukrainian delegation was very, very happy with the visit, with no tiredness.

“The issue of the Patriots, which Poland has managed to internationalise, is particularly pleasing. We hope that Patriots will soon be protecting the Ukrainian skies”, stated Jakub Kumoch.

Adrian Andrzejewski