President of Ukraine

JOINT STATEMENT by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Donald Tusk

15 January 2025 - 16:28

(January 15, 2025, Warsaw)

 

We met today in Warsaw, at the beginning of the Polish Presidency in the EU Council, to confirm strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland as well as to reiterate Polish support for Ukraine to obtain full membership in the European Union.

1. We agree that the security and defence of Europe is our common interest and responsibility. The existing lack of security in Europe is driven primarily by Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. We will work together to stop the Russian war against Ukraine and to restore a comprehensive, just and lasting peace and security in Europe. Both sides will support and promote the Victory Plan of the President of Ukraine and Ukrainian Peace Formula based on key principles of international law.

2. Poland and Ukraine will work together with European partners to make Europe more secure, stronger, and safer. This will include ensuring proper defence support to Ukraine, including using immobilized Russian frozen assets for Ukraine’s needs, in particular for effective functioning of the Ukraine Assistance Fund under the European Peace Facility.

3. The EU enlargement means the expansion of the security zone in Europe. Poland will facilitate Ukraine’s accession process with the aim of opening cluster 1 “Fundamentals” and – if possible – other negotiating clusters.

4. Poland and Ukraine see an urgent need for strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities, coordinating the  respective efforts with NATO allies. We will strive to convince partners that the European Defence Industry Programme should properly reflect Ukraine's role in the growth of Europe's defence sector.

5. Acting in cooperation with the United States and other like-minded partners, we will continue efforts aimed at broadening global isolation of Russia and increasing EU sanctions’ pressure on the aggressor-state. We will strengthen coordination in the fight against Russian disinformation and cyberattacks to enhance Europe’s resistance to such hostile actions.    

6. Poland will advocate for further EU’s assistance to Ukraine, in particular through stable budgetary funding under both the Ukraine Facility, the EU’s exceptional macro-financial assistance as well as assistance related to restoring energy infrastructure, humanitarian demining and other urgent needs of Ukraine.

7. Europe’s energy independence is one of the pillars of the continent's overall security. It is crucial to fully cut off Europe’s dependence on Russian energy sources. We cannot rely any longer on the aggressor-state and on the supplier, which uses energy as a tool of warfare. This means that Europe should aim at greater integration and self-sufficiency when it comes to the energy supply. Completion of the EU energy market and closer energy cooperation with Ukraine can increase energy security, diversify energy supplies and reduce energy prices.

8. Emphasizing the importance of Ukraine's implementation of relevant EU legislation, we will work together, in line with the provisions of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, on improving, if possible,  the movement of people, goods and capital via strengthening connectivity, upgrading the border crossing infrastructure.

9. We will work together on the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine with relevant engagement of the international actors, notably EU Member States and institutions.

10. We will continue constructive dialogue and look for the solutions of the issues related to the Common Agricultural Policy in the light of Ukraine’s integration in the EU Single Market.

11. We welcome the progress in resolving the historical issues and will continue developing constructive historical dialogue based on existing legal framework and the democratic values in the name of the common European future.

12. Poland is ready to share with Ukraine its experience of accession talks with the EU.