War in Ukraine: Zelensky visited Poland to thank him for his support in defense against Russia

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky and his wife were received with military honours, tributes and praise in Poland on Wednesday, at the start of a state visit which it comes to be a gesture of appreciation from kyiv to the neighboring nation for his vital support in defending the country against Russian invasion.

The trip is one of Zelensky’s few outside the country since the invasion began in late February 2022. Although it comes after visits to the United States, Britain, France and Belgium, it differs from them in that it was announced in advance without the secrecy surrounding the previous ones.

Nor is it usual for the president to travel accompanied by the first lady, Olena Zelenska. According to Marcin Przydacz, head of Polish President Andrzej Duda’s foreign policy office, this is the Zelensky’s first visit of this kind since the beginning of the war.

Duda delivered Zelensky the highest and oldest civil decoration in Polandthe Order of the White Eagle, and stated that it is bestowed upon persons who distinguish themselves in the country and in its international relations.

“We have no doubt that your attitude, coupled with the nation’s courage, saved Ukraine,” he told Zelensky.

At the welcoming ceremony in the courtyard of the Royal Palace, while Duda and the first ladies dressed in formal attire, Zelensky donned his trademark dark sports shirt and khakis as a show of support for the struggle in Ukraine.

While Zelensky’s trips to London, Paris and Brussels in February were part of his campaign to order warplanes and Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO, what he did in Washington in December was trying to strengthen political support from the United States the main purpose of the visit to Warsaw was to give thanks in a country that has been a major international supporter of Kiev.

Poland, located on NATO’s eastern flank, feels particularly threatened by Russia and has been a major advocate for military aid.

Visit too shed light on Poland’s growing international role in the new security order that emerged after the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Poland’s new role on the international scene

Poland, which is part of NATO and the EU, is modernize his army with orders for tanks and other equipment from US and South Korean manufacturers, while Washington has also beefed up its military presence in the nation.

Warsaw has been a key ally for Kiev Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion last year, it has taken in large numbers of refugees and has become a major transit hub for humanitarian aid and weapons to Ukraine.

Furthermore, it does not want to lose future contracts for the post-war reconstruction of the neighboring country, which according to World Bank estimates could have a cost of 411,000 million dollars.

Zelensky has passed through Poland on his other trips, but so far he had not made an institutional visit.

The Ukrainian president also met with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. In addition, he will participate in an economic forum focused on the reconstruction of his country and he will meet some of his fellow refugees in Poland.

Ukrainian refugees

Poland has become a major destination for refugees, especially those who don’t want to go far because they hope to return or visit their loved ones.

More than 1.5 million Ukrainians have registered in Poland since the beginning of the war, joining the large number of compatriots who had come in previous years for work. The exact number of Ukrainians in the country is impossible to measure, especially since so many come and go.

But Zelensky’s visit also comes at a sensitive time as local farmers are increasingly upset that Ukrainian grain entering the country has caused a glut, which led to a drop in prices.

The grain is only supposed to be stored and pass through Poland to reach international markets, but Polish farmers say it stays in the country, taking up space in silos and entering local markets, causing the price to fall for farmers. Romanian and Bulgarian farmers say they face similar problems.

Speaking to reporters, Przydacz acknowledged this the issue aroused tensions and said it will be one of the topics to be discussed at the summit.

Farmer anger is straining Morawiecki’s government ahead of the autumn general election, especially as his conservative Law and Justice party gets much of its support in rural areas.

An hour before Duda received Zelenski, Polish Agriculture Minister Henryk Kowalczyk, who has been the object of the farmers’ ire, resigned.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have launched 47 airstrikes, three rocket attacks and 42 multiple rocket launchers into Ukraine in the past 24 hours, military authorities said.

At least four civilians were killed and 16 others injured during that time, Ukraine’s presidential office said.

Source: AP