In the event of Ukraine's defeat, Russia will deal with neighboring Poland "immediately", Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Warsaw at a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Karol Nawrocki, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.
Zelensky added that his country could provide Poland with advice on protecting against drones and ensuring better security in the Baltic region, Reuters notes. In addition, the Ukrainian president invited his Polish counterpart to visit Kiev, and Polish business to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine, Ukrinform writes.
Zelensky expressed hope that today's visit will lead to a new and even more significant chapter in Polish-Ukrainian relations. These are relations "not just of neighbors, but of two European pillars, without which there will simply be no freedom in our part of Europe, because there will be no security," the Ukrainian president emphasized.
The independence of Poland and Ukraine is the foundation that allows all countries in this part of Europe to live freely, without the supremacy of Moscow, he added.
"Russia wants discord, wants to destroy and break up such a strong union - the union of two peoples, of many generations of Ukrainians and Poles. We will not allow them to do this," Zelensky stressed.
Zelensky's visit to Warsaw is bad news for Russia because it shows unity between the countries on strategically important issues, Polish President Karol Nawrocki said.
"Poland, Ukraine, the countries of the region, countries with democratic values, are united and this has never been in doubt," he stressed at the press conference.
The EU's decision to provide Ukraine with a loan worth 90 billion euros is a signal to Russia that it makes no sense to continue its war with Kiev because the Ukrainian side has financial support, Zelensky also said, quoted by Reuters. He reiterated that the decision reached in Brussels tonight was a victory for Ukraine.
Kiev faces a budget deficit of $45 billion next year and plans to use European funds to support its defense, as well as social and humanitarian spending.
Earlier today, Zelensky met with Navrotsky. This is the Ukrainian president's third visit to Poland this year. The previous visits were in January.
Navrotsky said today that Poland could send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for anti-drone systems. Warsaw seeks a reciprocal partnership and hopes that the issue can be resolved, he stressed at his joint press conference with Zelensky.