"Just a week ago I was in the beautiful and proud city of Kyiv, where I spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky," Duda said in a televised message on Wednesday.
"A few hours later, Russian troops launched an attack on independent Ukraine and began waging a cruel war against our neighbour," he added.
He told the nation that "today, Kyiv is being shelled, and its inhabitants stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian Army defending their city."
He said the Ukrainian capital and the country as a whole "have become a symbol of defending our common values: freedom, sovereignty and democracy in the eyes of the free world."
For a week now, Ukraine "has been heroically defying the invaders, paying the highest price," Duda also said. "Residential buildings, blocks of flats, schools and hospitals have come under shelling and bombardment."
Hallmarks of genocide
"The numerous attacks launched by Russian troops bear the hallmarks of genocide," he also said.
"They will not go unpunished, I trust, and their perpetrators we be held to account before international tribunals," he added, as quoted by his office in English.
Duda stressed in his message that the Polish government and citizens "have been actively helping their neighbours from day one."
Poland has "insisted internationally on the imposition of the toughest possible sanctions against the aggressors, and these have now become a reality," Duda said.
'A friend in need is a friend indeed'
Duda also said in his address that Poland was championing Ukraine’s efforts to become a member of the European Union.
"As part of NATO, we are providing concrete assistance to Ukraine," he told the nation, adding that Poland "has already admitted over half a million refugees fleeing the tragedy of war."
He said: "President Volodymyr Zelensky asked me to convey to all Poles his heartfelt thanks for the great support Ukraine is receiving from our country and society. A friend in need is a friend indeed."
Duda noted in his message that Poles were sheltering refugees in their homes, providing them with transportation, organizing collections of goods, making donations and raising funds to aid Ukraine.
"As a nation we have once again demonstrated what solidarity means," he concluded.
(gs)
Source: PAP, TVP, prezydent.pl