Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrived this Monday morning at kyiv station. This is the first trip to Ukraine for the new head of the liberal and pro-European government. He is due to meet today with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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“ Nothing is more important than support for Ukraine against Russian aggression », declared Donald Tusk on the spot, who will address the various disputes between kyiv and Warsaw.
Ahead of his visit, Prime Minister Donald Tusk reiterated his priority: the situation on the front line remains “ the number one question for Polish security “. The Polish government is exploring the possibility of manufacturing more munitions and military equipment as part of a new aid program for Ukraine, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said last week.
Poland, which has hosted more than one million Ukrainian refugees since February 2023, has been an early ally of Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion and is striving to obtain more financial and military support from its Western partners. The visit of Donald Tusk, which follows that of President Zelensky in Warsaw last Aprilwill therefore be scrutinized both in Ukraine, which needs this military and political support, and in Poland.
Read alsoFaced with the effects of the war, anti-Ukrainian sentiment is gaining ground in Poland
But other subjects are on the agenda for this highly anticipated trip, notably the discontent of Polish carriersreports our correspondent in kyiv, Peter Alonso.
Since November, they have been blocking border crossing points to protest against competition deemed unfair by Ukrainian truckers. An end to the crisis has been emerging since the conclusion of an agreement at the beginning of January, but the situation remains precarious. And the leaders of the movement have warned that they will resume their blockade in the absence of a lasting solution.
Polish farmers’ revolt
The other revolt is that of Polish farmers, angry at Ukrainian imports, authorized in an exceptional manner after the start of the invasion. Polish producers accuse these cereals of undermining their own market. In response, Warsaw pledged to establish a system of subsidies and loans for its farmers.
Read alsoPoland and Ukraine announce agreement on grain transit
I know a farmer who had to go to Norway to earn money so that his family could continue to live on the farm.
Polish farmers angry at Ukrainian competition
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