Vasyl Zvarych made the statement in an interview published on Wednesday by Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform.
The ambassador said: “Dialogue and cooperation between Ukraine and Poland is at an unprecedented level.”
He added: “It has been a year of great solidarity and a consolidation of efforts to support Ukraine. It has also been a year of my gratitude to all the Polish people, for what they’ve done and I hope will continue to do to help Ukraine win this war started by Russia as soon as possible.”
‘Poland at the forefront of helping Ukraine’
Zvarych told Ukrinform: “Poland remains among the countries that lead the way in helping Ukraine.”
He noted that Poland was “a regional leader when it comes to assistance to Ukraine,” as well as being the first country to provide Kyiv with Leopard 2 tanks, helping form the so-called aviation coalition for Ukraine, and advocating for Kyiv’s interests in the European Union and NATO, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The ambassador said: “This year has seen a great many initiatives by Polish authorities to support Ukraine, which has brought our countries and nations much closer. It’s an extremely strong foundation for the future of our nations, for our shared future in the EU and NATO.”
Zvarych added: "Polish society is aware of the fact that Ukrainians are currently defending Poland, as well, to make sure that the Russian boot doesn’t trample on Polish soil.”
Military assistance
Referring to Poland’s military assistance to Ukraine, Zvarych said that Polish Krab self-propelled gun howitzers “have really changed the situation at the front,” Ukrinform reported.
Zvarych stated: "We need as many of these weapons as possible and are very grateful to Poland for receiving them on time and for the fact that they’re fulfilling their tasks on the battlefield. We are also grateful for Piorun man-portable air defence systems, Rosomak armoured personnel carriers, Polish drones, and ammunition of various calibres. We need these weapons badly.”
He added that during its ongoing summer counteroffensive, Ukraine also badly needed artillery, as well as mid- and long-range rockets.
The Ukrainian envoy said: “And so we are asking Poland to provide these weapons, which can change the situation on the battlefield.”
Zvarych also noted that Poland had supplied Ukraine with 10 MiG-29 fighter jets.
He said: "So far, 10 MiG-29s have been handed over, but it is possible that Poland will hand over the rest - about 20 aircraft of this type that they still have in service. However, this will most likely happen after Poland starts receiving aircraft from Western countries.”
Zvarych noted that “this process has already begun,” referring to Poland’s receipt of the first FA-50 fighters from South Korea, Ukrinform reported.
The Ukrainian ambassador added that Poland was among the 11 countries that had said they were ready to start training Ukrainian pilots to fly US-made F-16 fighter jets.
He said: “General training within the coalition of states is to begin in August. We are in the process of agreeing with the Polish side on when, how many and how these agreements on training Ukrainian pilots in Poland will be implemented.”
Postwar reconstruction of Ukraine
Zvarych also told Ukrinform that more than 2,000 Polish companies had declared their willingness to take part in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
He added that “Poland is already present in the process of rebuilding Ukraine,” having provided temporary accommodation for internally displaced Ukrainians, as well as helping demine Ukraine and restore its energy networks, the PAP news agency reported.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Thursday is day 512 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, Ukrinform, polskieradio24.pl
