Ukrainian President Zelenskyy visits Poland

The visit to Poland is one of Mr Zelenskyy’s few foreign trips since the war with Russia on February 24, 2022. Previously, the Ukrainian president has visited the US, the UK, France and Belgium. However, the difference with the trip to Poland is that it was announced in advance, rather than kept secret until the last minute.

Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland on April 5, 2023. Photo: AP

Mr Zelenskyy's trip to Poland was also attended by the first lady, Olena Zelenska. Marcin Przydacz, head of the foreign policy office of Polish President Andrzej Duda, described it as the first such visit by President Zelenskyy since the war began.

At the welcoming ceremony in the courtyard of the royal palace, while President Duda and the first ladies of the two countries wore ceremonial diplomatic attire, Mr. Zelenskyy wore the dark sweater and khaki pants that he has often worn since the conflict with Russia began.

Mr Zelenskyy’s trips to London, Paris and Brussels in February were part of an effort to secure fighter jets and to push for Ukraine to join the European Union and NATO, while his visit to Washington in December was aimed at bolstering US political support. His trip to Warsaw was largely aimed at thanking Poland.

Poland, a member of NATO and the European Union, is modernizing its military with orders for tanks and other equipment from US and South Korean manufacturers, while the US is also increasing its military presence in Poland.

Poland has been a key ally of Ukraine since its war with Russia last year, and has become a transit hub and a hub for Western humanitarian aid and weapons to Ukraine.

During his visit, Mr. Zelenskyy met with President Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, attended an economic forum focused on rebuilding Ukraine and met with a number of Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Poland is also an important destination for Ukrainian refugees. More than 1.5 million Ukrainians have officially registered as refugees in Poland since the war began, along with large numbers of Ukrainians who have come to work in previous years.

Mr Zelenskyy's visit also comes at a sensitive time, with Polish farmers increasingly angry that a flood of Ukrainian grain into Poland has created a glut, causing prices to fall.

Bui Huy (according to AP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-ukraine-zelenskyy-den-tham-ba-lan-post242345.html