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The leader of the Ministry of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak went to Kyiv on Friday, February 3rd, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
Mariusz Blaszczak, the Deputy Prime Minister, held a video conference with Oleksii Reznikov, the Ukrainian Defense Minister, in Kyiv. The two discussed the possibility of providing further military assistance to Ukraine.
The defence ministers’ bilateral talks focused on continued support for Ukraine and the security situation in the context of unprovoked Russian aggression.
“We support Ukraine because for us a free Ukraine is a guarantee of a free Poland. It was said by the late President Lech Kaczynski in 2008 in Georgia (…) As we can see, the Russian empire, regardless of whether it is white, red or Putinist, commits war crimes. It is the duty of the free world to resist tendencies to rebuild the Russian empire. We can resist them, and that is why Poland supports Ukraine. We are impressed by the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers, and we try to support Ukraine, but also refugees who want to find refuge in Poland. I am proud of the attitude of my people,”
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak said during his visit to Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister Blaszczak stressed that talks continue in the format of countries that could donate Leopard tanks to the defending Ukraine.
“Poland has taken on the role of building a coalition of countries that are able to support Ukraine with Leopard tanks. Such an initiative was announced by President Andrzej Duda during a meeting with President Zelensky and the President of Lithuania in Lviv in January this year. I must say directly that this initiative is gaining momentum,”
he said.
During his trip to Kyiv, Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak talked about military collaboration with President Volodymyr Zelensky. In appreciation for his efforts, he was presented with the “Order for Meritorious Service of the First Degree” by the Ukrainian President.
Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak also laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kyiv.