Poland, Czech Republic and Slovenia ratified their support for Ukraine during their visit to Kiev and called for “ending the tragedy” that country is experiencing

In a clear gesture of support and solidarity, on Tuesday the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia met in Kiev with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, as representatives of the European Council. The leaders expressed their support for Ukraine and called for an “end to the tragedy” that country is experiencing in the face of the Russian invasion.

Zelensky shared a video of the meeting on his social networks and described the visit to Kiev of these European leaders as “a powerful testimony of support”. During the meeting, the head of state remarked that the country is experiencing a complicated situation and regretted the bombings on Tuesday on the capital, as well as on other areas in the west of the country.

However, he highlighted and valued the courage of Ukrainian citizens and expressed his suspicion that Moscow initially thought that in its offensive against Ukraine it would have some support from the people of this nation. He also questioned the origin of some of the troops that Russia has sent to the country: “They speak a language we don't understand. That is, they are either from Syria or they are being taken from elsewhere.”

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki expressed his desire to “end the tragedy” that Ukraine is experiencing “as soon as possible”, on a joint trip with his Czech and Slovenian counterparts, Pietr Fiala and Janez Jansa, to the besieged Ukrainian capital.

The purpose of the trip, by train and without prior announcement, was to “confirm the unequivocal support of the entire European Union (EU) for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and to present a comprehensive package of aid”, as stated this morning by Polish government spokesman Piotr Müller.

After meeting in Poland, the three leaders left for Kiev by train with the aim of meeting Zelensky, and the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal.

The trip had been previously agreed at the informal summit in Versailles, where leaders of the European Union (EU) met last Friday, according to Polish sources.

The spokesman for the Government of Warsaw also reported that both NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and representatives of the US government were aware of the visit.

According to Warsaw, the delegation “de facto represents the EU”, since it also has “the consensus of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen”.

In a message spread through his social networks, Morawiecki stated, already in Kiev, that “this war is the result of the actions of a cruel tyrant who attacks civilians, bombs cities and hospitals in Ukraine”, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The message was accompanied by several photos of the Polish, Czech and Slovenian leaders, in informal clothing, and sitting together at a table with a map of Ukraine unfolded before them.

On Twitter, the head of the Polish government added in English: “This is where history is made in war-torn Kiev. This is where freedom fights against the world of tyranny. This is where the future of us all hangs in the balance.”

“The EU supports Ukraine, which can count on the help of its friends: today we brought this message to Kiev,” he concluded.

Sources from the Community institutions, from Brussels, claimed to be “aware” of the trip, while the President of the Council highlighted “the security dangers” of the visit to the Ukrainian capital, under the siege of Russian attacks.

Shortly before the delegation arrived in Kiev, Polish Government spokesman Michal Dworczyk stressed that the trip was “risky”, but that “circumstances” required “sacrifices”. For his part, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau confirmed that the trip had been “carefully prepared” and with the Brussels agreement.

The Ukrainian Prime Minister then published a message on the Internet confirming the arrival of the three leaders in Kiev “on behalf of the European Commission” and greeting them with the phrase “the courage of true friends”.

The delegation was joined by the head of the Polish government party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who, in addition to being vice-president of the government, is also the chairman of the National Security and Defence Affairs Committee.

From Warsaw, a spokesman for the Polish Executive declared that “history is happening before our eyes, the future of Europe and perhaps the world is being forged before us”, alluding to the visit.

On 20 days since the start of the war in Ukraine, Poland's strong political support for the Kiev Government has had milestones such as last Friday's meeting of the Polish National Assembly, for the first time in its history, a body that brings together representatives of Congress, the Senate and the Executive.

At the summons of Polish President Andrzej Duda, President Zelenski spoke at the session via an online link he used to express his “thanks” to the “Polish brothers” and declare that “if God helps us and we win this war, we will share our victory with you. With our Polish brothers and sisters”; “it will be our greatness, but also your greatness,” Zelensky concluded.

For his part, the Polish president has repeatedly described the actions of Russian troops as “genocide” and announced that Poland is collaborating in providing evidence of alleged war crimes committed by Russia.

On March 16, a court in The Hague will issue a verdict on the matter, according to Polish media.

With information from EFE

Keep reading: