Referring to tensions between Ukraine and Russia as well as the Kremlin’s demands that NATO not expand further eastwards, Rau said that Ukraine had "the same rights as any other country ... to freely decide its fate, to choose its model of development and the alliances it wants to join."
“Poland is and always will be opposed to imperialist tendencies in world policy, and to concepts such as 'a concert of powers' and 'spheres of influence,'" he told a conference of Ukrainian ambassadors in the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk.
The event, entitled “Diplomacy 30. The Strategy of a Strong State,” was held by Ukraine’s top diplomat Dmytro Kuleba and the secretary of the country’s National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov.
Support for Ukrainian independence
During his visit to Ukraine, Rau also said that enlarging NATO “does not undermine anyone’s security” as “the pact is a defensive alliance," according to the Polish foreign ministry.
He participated in a plenary session on the challenges facing the region and Europe as a whole before holding private talks with Kuleba and Danilov.
The talks focused on key bilateral issues and threats to regional security, the Polish foreign ministry said.
Rau reaffirmed Warsaw’s support for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity based on that country's internationally recognised borders, the Polish foreign ministry said.
(pm/gs)
Source: gov.pl