New defense package from Poland, joint arms production: Tusk meets with Zelenskyy in Kyiv

This was reported by the president's press service.

"There is a new Polish defense package. We appreciate such constant assistance. There is a new form of our cooperation for the sake of a larger scale of arms purchases for Ukrainian needs. This is a Polish loan for Ukraine. Today, Mr. Prime Minister and I also discussed the possibilities of joint future arms production," Zelenskyy said.

The parties also discussed security guarantees. According to the President, Poland is ready to start bilateral talks on this issue.

The two leaders also discussed the situation at the border.

"We discussed with Mr. Prime Minister that all critical issues can be resolved at the level of our governments. And work on this will begin in the near future," Zelenskyy said.

In addition, the leaders paid attention to cooperation in the energy sector, the possibility of increasing and strengthening energy potential.

Among other things, Zelenskyy and Tusk discussed Poland's participation in the restoration of our country - the Polish government will appoint a commissioner responsible for this issue.

Another topic of conversation was Ukraine's accession to the EU.

"Poland will try to help in all aspects of the EU accession process so that Ukraine's full membership in the European Union becomes a fact as soon as possible. We will also cooperate in all other formats, so I have informed Mr. President that Poland has joined today the G7 Joint Declaration, which was formed at the NATO Summit in Vilnius," Tusk emphasized.

Earlier, the Polish Prime Minister's office announced Tusk's arrival in Kyiv.

He met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. On the Day of Unity, the heads of government honored the memory of Ukraine's defenders who fell in the war.

"Our fight against the Russian aggressor is a fight for freedom and values of the entire democratic world. We thank our partners who stand side by side with the Ukrainian people in this war for their support," Shmyhal wrote.

In turn, Tusk said that nothing is more important to him than supporting Ukraine in its military efforts against Russia. "This is definitely number one," he emphasized.

The Polish prime minister noted that his country and Ukraine have many bilateral issues to discuss.

"There are certain conflicts of interest, we are well aware of this and we will talk about it, but not only in the spirit of friendship, which is obvious, but with the determination to solve these problems as soon as possible, not to maintain or multiply them," Tusk emphasized.

At the same time, he emphasized that it is very important for him to create a sense that Poland is "Ukraine's most reliable and stable ally.”

Earlier, the Polish Prime Minister's office reported on the visit on social network X.

• On December 11, 2023, the Polish government elected Donald Tusk, the leader of the parliamentary majority, as prime minister.

• He later stated that he would not allow anyone in the government to base their position on anti-Ukrainian sentiment.

• Tusk announced his plans to visit Ukraine on January 12.