Poland’s Prime Minister Tusk announces special regime at checkpoints on border with Ukraine

Polskieradio24 reported the information.

The head of the Polish government called for the two issues to be separated in domestic and international discussions, "that is, unconditional support for Ukraine and protection of Polish farmers and the Polish market from the negative effects of trade liberalization with Ukraine."

Therefore, it was decided to introduce a special regime on the border with Ukraine and adjacent sections of highways and railways. 

"To ensure 100% that military aid, equipment, ammunition, humanitarian and medical aid will reach the Ukrainian side without delay, we will include border crossings with Ukraine and these sections of roads and railways in the list of critical infrastructure," Tusk said.

He noted that this would mean "a different type of organizational regime" at these crossings and access roads: "We will also draw practical consequences from this so that this movement takes place without delays and disruptions." 

Meeting between the governments of Ukraine and Poland

Tusk also said that a meeting of representatives of the governments of Poland and Ukraine will be held in Warsaw on March 28.

The Prime Minister noted that Poland fully ensures the transportation of weapons and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He added that there will be no meeting between the leaders of Poland and Ukraine in the near future, as requested by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

During the press conference, the head of the Polish government emphasized that Poland is committed to protecting the interests of Polish farmers and agricultural producers. At the same time, he reminded that Poland has been on the side of Ukraine since the first days of the war and even earlier and supports Ukraine by all available means.

Earlier on February 22, State Secretary of the Polish President's Office Andrzej Dera responded to the call of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet near the border to discuss the situation of protests, TVN24 reported.

"The President is in favor of holding this dialogue. This is the only way to solve a big problem. The problem is bilateral and very serious. Our farmers are fighting for their existence. The Ukrainian nation is fighting for its existence. The situation is catastrophic on both sides, if you look at it from this point of view, because the determination on both sides is enormous, and this problem must be solved," said Andrzej Dera.

According to him, there is no other way than through negotiations, dialogue and solutions related to the European Union.

He added that Duda "supports" the meeting between the two governments: "The president is doing everything in this spirit to support and help Ukraine. Let's not forget that everything that is happening on the border now - this conflict with grain, with agricultural products - is the result of the war."

• On Wednesday, February 21, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy recorded a video address on the situation on the Polish-Ukrainian border.