Austrian president pledges to support Ukraine on its way to EU

Alexander Van der Bellen, Austrian Federal President, said this on Thursday in Vienna during a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Ukrinform reports.

"The willingness of Ukraine and Moldova to join the EU is encouraging. We will support both these countries in this respect, on their way to the EU," Van der Bellen said.

He noted that Austria also supports the EU membership of the Western Balkan countries.

According to the Austrian president, during the meeting with his Polish counterpart, they discussed Russia's war against Ukraine and the EU's joint measures to support Ukraine.

"We share the same opinion on this that we – as the Union – should stand jointly and in solidarity at the side of an independent Ukraine," he emphasized.

• At the same press conference, Andrzej Duda said that Poland would deliver MiG-29s to Ukraine gradually, as it replenishes its fleet with FA-50 and F-35 fighters.