Endless support. Western leaders visit Ukraine

gazetafenestra.pl 2 years ago

A year has passed since the start of the war in Ukraine. During this time, we have been able to follow many visits by politicians, not only in this conflict-stricken country. Many showed large courage by gathering the most crucial rulers of our east neighbour and showing support to the fighting Ukrainians. The visits frequently brought concrete decisions to increase material aid to Ukraine.

Recently, representatives of 8 countries (Poland, Lithuania, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the United States of America, the Netherlands and Sweden) and the European Union visited Ukrainian cities. Poland is simply a leader in the number of meetings with the highest Ukrainian representatives in their territory over the last year. We have besides become a ‘transit’ country, visited as though by the heads of states and governments who visit Ukraine. The visits intensified especially in February – the period in which the anniversary of the Russian invasion began.

Lublin Triangle in Lviv

On 11 January, the presidents of Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine met in Lviv as part of a cooperation launched little than 3 years ago, aimed at a broad cooperation between the 3 countries. Andrzej Duda, Gitanas Nausėda and Volodymyr Zelenski discussed the transfer of Leopard tanks to support soldiers on the front. Ultimately, the decision to transfer Polish Leopards to Ukraine was made at the summit. “We have decided to put in this global coalition the first tank package – Leopard tank company, which, I hope, in a series with another Leopard tank companies and others, which will be submitted by another countries, will shortly sail to Ukraine and will be able to strengthen Ukraine’s defence,” said president Andrzej Duda at the press conference. There were besides talks in Lviv about the future integration of our east neighbours with the European Union and NATO. The presidents talked about the request to halt Russian, unprovoked as aggression. A symbolic declaration of reconstruction of Ukraine after the war was besides signed and its inalienable right to defend its sovereignty was stressed. At the end of the visit, Duda and Zelenski visited the Łychczak Cemetery, paying tribute to the Lwowski Eagles. According to commentators, this was an crucial motion by the president of Ukraine and confirmation of the common heritage of both countries.

Not just tanks

At the turn of January and February there were besides another crucial meetings at the highest level with Western European leaders. Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen decided to donate 19 Caesar self-propelled guns. Volodymyr Zelenski thanked for the arms supply and stressed the importance of announcing this decision on Ukrainian soil. The president of Ukraine besides spoke with Danish representatives about strengthening air and anti-ship forces in the south of the country, but no concrete decisions were made. In mid-February, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson came to Kiev. This was an crucial visit due to the current Presidency of Sweden in the European Union. In addition to the Prime Minister's declaration on Ukraine's accession to the European community after the war, there was besides a deficiency of confirmation of the promises of arms delivery. Stockholm decided to donate Archer's artillery systems. Kristersson was asked by journalists about the anticipation of delivering Swedish light fighters SAAB JAS 39, nevertheless he stated that despite his desire, there is no specified anticipation at the moment.

Visits-symbols

Not all authoritative meetings of politicians of another states in Ukraine ended with binding decisions on circumstantial military support. In February, the prime ministers of Spain and the Netherlands, Pedro Sánchez and Mark Rutte, and the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni besides hosted our east border. Although everyone showed verbal support to Ukrainians in the war, this did not translate into arms supplies from these countries. Sánchez and Meloni went during their visits to places affected by Russian war crimes – Bucza and Irpania. It's an honor. I think it is my work to be here to confirm the position of the Italian government and possibly besides personally realize what people who are fighting for their freedom request – Meloni said in Kiev. However, 2 another very crucial meetings in Ukraine have gained more publicity – it is simply a delegation of EU Commissioners, and above all an unannounced visit to the public by the president of the United States of America, Joe Biden. He arrived in Poland the day before the authoritative date of arrival in our country and the train from Przemyśl set off on a secret journey to Kiev. Biden's visit to the city regularly attacked from the air and his gathering with Zelenski was an expression of large support from the West. The Presidents' walk down the streets of Kiev was a clear signal to Russia that the United States of America was a support for Ukrainians in this war. It was besides not without announcing another support package for Ukraine, containing $500 million and ammunition for HIMARS artillery.

The year of the war in Ukraine showed that the West is now united as never before. Permanent arms deliveries and regular money transfers show strong willingness to support the fighting Ukrainians. As long as the war continues, no 1 knows it, but it is certain that the democratic planet will not surrender until Ukraine defeats the Russian aggressor.

Mr Filip STACHOWIC

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