Ukraine-Russia war : Fight of Good and Evil
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledges continued support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Tusk aims to resolve disputes with Kyiv over grain shipments and trucking that strained ties. During a joint briefing with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, Tusk expresses Poland’s commitment to increasing Ukraine’s chances of victory in the war.
Tusk describes Ukraine-Russia war : Fight of Good and Evil.” Both leaders hail plans for joint arms production between their countries. Zelenskyy mentions on social media platform X that they discussed a new form of cooperation for larger-scale arms purchases to meet Ukrainian needs.
Warsaw Key Ally for Kyiv:
Warsaw becomes a crucial ally for Kyiv in its defense against Russia, seeking increased support from Western partners. Poland plays a significant role by accepting over one million Ukrainian refugees.
Relations between the two nations had soured due to economic competition, particularly from Ukrainian food producers and truckers. Poles express concern over perceived threats to their livelihoods, leading to a deterioration in relations.
Polish Farmers Complaints:
Polish farmers and truckers disrupt border crossings, causing backups and potential aid flow issues to Ukraine.
Farmers claim Ukrainian food imports have lowered prices, impacting their incomes, while truckers cite competition with Ukrainian counterparts.
Amid the war and blocked Ukrainian ports, road routes through Europe become crucial for getting Ukrainian products to market.
Polish truckers agree to suspend protests against Ukrainian truckers’ permit-free access to the EU until March 1.
Prime Minister Tusk acknowledges conflicts of interest and expresses a commitment to resolving these issues promptly.
Tusk’s visit coincides with Ukraine’s Unity Day holiday, celebrating the unification of western and eastern Ukraine in 1919.
Draft Legislation:
Zelenskyy announces draft legislation allowing foreigners fighting against Russia in Ukraine to potentially receive Ukrainian citizenship.
The bill proposes formal approval for dual citizenship for Ukrainians, excluding Russia.
Thousands of foreigners rushed to aid Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, aiming to resist Moscow’s forces.
The Kremlin blames Ukraine for an attack on a gas terminal at the Baltic port of Ust-Luga, over 850km from the Ukraine border.
The gas facility, owned by Novatek, Russia’s largest LNG exporter, caught fire on Sunday near the border with Estonia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accuses the Kyiv regime of striking civil infrastructure, labeling it a “monstrous terrorist act.”
Tusk’s visit follows reports from Moscow-installed officials claiming Ukrainian shelling killed at least 27 people near a Russian-occupied city in eastern Ukraine.
Peskov calls the shelling a terrorist act, while the Ukrainian military denies involvement, and the veracity of both claims remains unverified.
Ukraine’s allies, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and France’s Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, visit Kyiv to reaffirm commitment to its defense against Kremlin forces.