Ukraine and Poland are ready to take mutual steps in the difficult issue of common historical memory. This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with the media following a meeting with President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda in Kyiv.
He noted that during the talks in the Ukrainian capital, the parties discussed the issues of common historical memory.
"This is not an easy path, but it is important that we are ready to pass it together and take mutual steps forward. Earlier, we resolved the issue of search permits for Polish scientists and archaeologists. And in Poland, on Monastyr Mountain, a memorial plaque on the Ukrainian mass grave has been reconstructed,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He reminded that the site had been in a dilapidated condition for the last five years, but at his personal request to President Andrzej Duda, the monument was reconstructed.
"In the future, we expect the restoration of the full list of names of dead Ukrainians at this grave," the President of Ukraine said.
The parties are convinced that Ukraine and Poland cannot coexist other than in peace, harmony, friendship and mutual respect.
"I am sure that there can be no disputes between our countries at all, except for one - in which Ukrainian and Polish cities should we hold joint winter Olympic Games or FIFA World Cup," the President of Ukraine noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy especially noted the adoption of the Joint Statement of the Presidents of Ukraine and Poland, which fixes the agreed positions and priorities of the strategic partnership, as well as identifies joint steps to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
"This document is a good basis for further fruitful work between Ukraine and Poland. I thank the President for this visit, for an open and very warm, friendly conversation," the President of Ukraine summed up.
Andrzej Duda, for his part, noted that his current visit to Ukraine is important for him also because he had an opportunity to honor Ukrainians and Poles, Polish officers who became victims of NKVD 80 years ago in the National Historical and Memorial Reserve "Bykivnia Graves".
"It is important for me that I was able to do it yesterday in Bykivnia," the President of Poland said.
He stated that Ukraine and Poland have a "painful, difficult past", and it is important that these issues were discussed during today's talks.
"I hope that we will pass these stages with respect for both our nations. We will delicately and wisely implement such policy with Mr. President in the coming years. We have assured each other of this today," the President of the Republic of Poland emphasized.
