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Duda, Zelensky working to strengthen Polish-Ukrainian ties: aide

16.05.2022 23:30
The Polish and Ukrainian presidents are working to strengthen bilateral relations amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a Polish presidential aide said on Monday.
Jakub Kumoch.
Jakub Kumoch.PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Jakub Kumoch spoke after meeting Volodymyr Zelensky and his aides in Kyiv, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Kumoch, who is a senior foreign policy advisor to Polish President Andrzej Duda, was accompanied by Michał Dworczyk, a top aide to Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, and Bartosz Cichocki, Poland’s ambassador to Ukraine.  

The Polish delegation first met with Zelensky’s advisors before being hosted by the Ukrainian leader, officials told reporters.

‘Polish, Ukrainian presidents seek to strengthen bilateral ties’

Afterwards, Kumoch told public broadcaster Polish Radio: “Today I was received by President Zelensky after meeting my Ukrainian counterparts in the presidential office.”

Kumoch added: “We spoke at length about the future of Polish-Ukrainian relations."

He told Polish Radio that Duda and Zelensky were aiming to "strengthen bilateral relations for as long as possible.”

Kumoch also said that "lessons must be learned from the past" and that "certain emotional issues that exist between Poles and Ukrainians" needed to be resolved to make sure "they are not exploited by the Russians."

Poland, Ukraine 'bound much closer together than ever before’

Kumoch said he hoped Poland and Ukraine would emerge from the Russo-Ukrainian war “bound much closer together than ever before.”

He stressed "the importance of Ukraine’s postwar redevelopment" and Poland’s role in the undertaking. 

“Poland, unlike many allies in the West, has said from the start that Ukraine will defend its independence,” Kumoch added.

Monday was day 82 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, polskieradio24.pl