In Warsaw, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the highest state award of the Republic of Poland - the Order of the White Eagle - from President of Poland Andrzej Duda.
The Ukrainian President was awarded the order in recognition of outstanding merits in deepening friendly and comprehensive relations between Poland and Ukraine, for the development of cooperation in the name of democracy, peace and security in Europe, steadfastness in the protection of inalienable human rights.
The award was presented during a meeting of the leaders of the two states in the Hall of the Order of the White Eagle in the Presidential Palace.
Accepting the award, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Andrzej Duda and the entire Polish people for helping our country in a difficult time on the way to victory in the war. The President of Ukraine noted that Poland has been helping since the first day of the full-scale Russian invasion.
"It is a great honor for me to be here with my wife and to thank the President, his team, the Polish government and every Pole for what you have already done. You did not abandon Ukraine, you stood side by side with us. We are grateful for that," said the Head of State.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that today the relations between Ukraine and Poland demonstrate historical strength.
"It is on such a foundation that truly strong friendship and the future of all generations of our two fraternal nations are built," he noted.
Separately, the President of Ukraine thanked the Polish people for their warm attitude towards millions of Ukrainians who have found refuge in Poland, where they feel at home rather than as guests.
"There were no borders between us, and I consider this the beginning of the fact that there will be no borders between us in the future: political, economic and - what is very important - historical. For the sake of our people. But for that we still need to gain victory. For that, we need to walk side by side a little more," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The Head of State noted that the award he received today belongs to those Ukrainians who carry victory on their shoulders.
"This award is also addressed to the people of Ukraine, to our military who defend our state, our independence and will definitely gain victory for Ukraine, for Poland, for all of Europe and the world," the President noted.
For his part, Andrzej Duda emphasized that the Order of the White Eagle is awarded for exceptional achievements, public service and merits to Poland. The President of Poland noted that it is a great honor for him to present this order to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"You, Mr. President, are an exceptional person. Having received a mandate from your people, you unexpectedly for yourself fulfilled an exceptional mission. No one could have predicted. You did not leave Ukraine and your fellow citizens in the most difficult period of Ukraine's history - in the face of aggression," Andrzej Duda said.
The President of Poland noted that the position of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the heroic Ukrainian people saved Ukraine.
"You are a model of the head of state, the head of nation, as well as a person who steadfastly stands guard over the rights of a human, citizen and people to self-determination," he emphasized.
