'Without independent Ukraine, Russia will come for Poland,' Zelensky says as he meets Nawrocki
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with his Polish counterpart Karol Nawrocki in Warsaw on Dec. 19, marking their first meeting since Nawrocki's inauguration.
Speaking at the press conference, Nawrocki said that his meeting with Zelensky is "bad news for Russia." The two leaders discussed security, economic, and historical matters.
"President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit is evidence that in strategic matters and security issues, Poland, Ukraine, and the countries of the region stand together," he added.
Nawrocki said that there is a sense in Poland that its aid to Ukraine since the start of the all-out war "has not been sufficiently recognized." Zelensky responded by once again expressing his gratitude to Warsaw.
"There are sometimes difficult moments in our societies, but as presidents, we must define policies that keep us united. Without our independence, Moscow will inevitably push further into Europe and will come for Poland," Zelensky said.
According to the Ukrainian president, the two leaders' talks were centered around war-related issues. Kyiv proposed consultations with Warsaw on drone defense, as Russian drones have multiple times entered NATO airspace over the past year.
Nawrocki didn't exclude the possibility of delivering MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, and said he expects Kyiv to share drone production technologies with Poland in exchange.
Zelensky’s visit to Poland follows a trip to Brussels, where EU leaders approved a 90 billion euros ($105.5 billion) interest-free loan for Ukraine. Initially considering using frozen Russian assets, officials opted for an alternative financing approach after failing to reach a consensus.
"If Russia drags out the war, we will use the funds for defense," Zelensky said. "If the world forces Russia to peace, we will use these funds exclusively for the rebuilding of the state."
Later in the day, Zelensky also met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Since Nawrocki took office, relations between Kyiv and Warsaw have seen growing tensions, despite Poland's role as one of Ukraine's key allies since the start of the full-scale invasion.
While Nawrocki expressed support for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression, he has also spoken critically about Kyiv's EU and NATO ambitions, often highlighting historical grievances.
The Volyn (Volhynian) massacre remains one of the most contentious issues in present day Polish-Ukrainian relations. The massacres of 1943-1944 took place in the Nazi-occupied territory of what is now western Ukraine during World War II. Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) members killed at least tens of thousands of Poles, while thousands of Ukrainians were killed in retaliation.
The first exhumation on Ukrainian soil since 2017 began this April in the former village of Puzhnyky, Ternopil Oblast, marking what officials on both sides called a breakthrough after years of a de facto moratorium.
Representatives from the National Memory Institutes of Ukraine and Poland held talks in Warsaw on Dec. 19.
"We respect the Polish perspective on the path of our nations, and we honor your memory of what has been. We count on your respect for our Ukrainian memory," said Zelensky.
