This Thursday afternoon, Polish President Andrzej Duda and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held talks at 10 Downing Street in order to continue both countries efforts in supporting Ukraine and deepening their common security and defence strategy in the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
https://twitter.com/PolishEmbassyUK/status/1512063752601972742?s=20&t=TazA-SOsTSWZPFEIBPyYnA
Both leaders underlined the traditionally good relations between Poland and the UK.
“We have stood shoulder to shoulder before in great crises. I think it is fair to say that […] the current crisis is bringing us even closer together. With every day that goes by, we have the opportunity to do more together. We want to take steps now together to […] launch a proper […] defence partnership,” Boris Johnson stated during the press conference preceding his face to face meeting with Andrzej Duda.
“In the immediate future, The UK and Poland will work together to try to alleviate the suffering in Ukraine in any way that we can. Ware now sending 30 million pounds to support Poland. As we stand here, there are NHS ambulances being driven by Polish drivers to help give vital medical relief and support to the suffering people of Ukraine,” the British Prime Minister added.
In turn, Andrzej Duda rejoiced about having the possibility to meet Boris Johnson in real life following their phone conversation last week during which they “could not discuss everything”.
The Polish President drew attention to the recent war crimes committed by Russian troops on Ukrainian soil, nearby Kyiv.
“When we talked a week ago, neither of us knew […] how many ordinary Ukrainian citizens were murdered by Russian soldiers in a brutal way, which reminds us of the massacres that we had to deal with during World War II,” he bitterly stated.
Andrzej Duda insisted on the fact that Russia is breaking international law. „Bombing with prohibited weapons on civilian settlements where there is no military is a war crime, and we all know it,” he firmly stated.
“Poles and the Polish government are doing a great job in managing the current crisis in Ukraine. Congratulations […] I am impressed,” Boris Johnson emphasised.
“We will talk about […] how to continue working together, what further actions we should take together to strengthen Ukraine, to enable its defenders to defend […] Ukraine,” Duda announced during the press conference.
“In Poland, there has been talk of Polish-British friendship for years. Today, this cooperation is tightening, also in the military field. Thank you for your support and kindness towards Poles,” the Polish President concluded.
Image: Jakub Szymczuk/ KPRP
Author: Sébastien Meuwissen
