On the Day of Unity of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk spoke with students and faculty of several Ukrainian higher education institutions.
The meeting, which took place at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, was attended by students from this university, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Mariupol State University, and Kyiv National Linguistic University.
Addressing the audience, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Day of Unity of Ukraine is an extremely important and symbolic holiday filled with meaning and important signals about the power of unity.
"It was so important to unite at the very beginning of the war. And this powerful shield that we have, that we managed to build in Ukraine, is a signal that reached the whole of Europe and the whole world. And then, having united, we managed to resist Russian aggression together with the whole world. And help came. I am very glad that Poland, the Polish people, was with us in those moments. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart, from all Ukrainians," he said.
The Head of State emphasized that this solidarity must not be lost today.
"We cannot lose this unity in Ukraine, in Europe, in the world, because we will lose everything," the President is convinced.
For his part, Donald Tusk noted that today Ukrainians are fighting for their territorial integrity and independence, but Ukrainians also dream that Ukraine will be home to their children and grandchildren.
"Russian aggression is not only an attack on your country, it is an aggression against your future, the next generations. It is an aggression aimed at everything that matters to you," the Polish Prime Minister said.
"I am convinced that today one cannot be in the European Union and not help Ukraine. Ukraine's fight with Russia is a fight for the essence of Europeanness," he added.
Donald Tusk also noted that NATO would be much stronger if Ukraine became a member of the Alliance, as its army is one of the best trained today.
"Therefore, in particular, the task of the Polish government is to convince all skeptics that it is in the interests of every NATO member and the entire Alliance that Ukraine becomes a member as soon as possible. This is an obvious way to strengthen the security of the entire free world," said the Prime Minister of Poland.
During a conversation with the students, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his belief that Ukraine should become a member of the EU.
"We did not receive the candidacy just like that. And the accession negotiations were not opened just like that, nor was the path to the future in the EU. Because we truly gained it," emphasized the President.
Answering the question about the most effective measures to combat Russian disinformation and PSYOP, the Head of State noted that it is very important, including for the youth, to verify and analyze information in the current saturated information space. In addition, the sanctions policy, which affects the ability of Russia to finance propaganda, has a certain effect.
Speaking about the prospects for the development of Ukrainian-Polish relations, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his belief that despite any difficulties, common victories can be achieved through respect for each other. In his opinion, they can be achieved in the agro-industrial complex and in the logistics sector. The challenges posed by the neighborhood with Russia and Belarus give impetus to joint development in cybersecurity, security issues in general, and joint arms production.
According to the President of Ukraine, attention should also be paid to the development of joint educational programs, given the large number of Ukrainians living in Poland.
Donald Tusk added that during this war, Ukraine and Poland have built extraordinary mutual trust not only at the level of leaders, but also at the level of people and societies.
"The war has shown that you are one of the most modern, innovative nations. It has shown extraordinary flexibility and creativity, starting from the frontline and in other areas. You are experiencing tragedy, but you are moving forward," he said.
