Zelensky visits Warsaw to discuss stronger defense ties amid Russian attacks
Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy/X
The latest Russian attacks on Ukraine and defense and security cooperation became key issues of discussion between the presidents of Ukraine and Poland as President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Warsaw on an official visit on Monday. The two leaders discussed a range of measures to help bolster the safety measure for the Ukrainian people.
Stressing the strategic importance of their meeting, Zelensky said, “Defense cooperation and the needs of Ukraine’s armed forces are key priorities. We have spoken about the importance of the inaugural Peace Summit and the security agreement between Ukraine and Poland. We believe in a peaceful, strong Ukraine and a peaceful, strong Poland. The Ukrainian army is defending the security of Poland and all of Europe, and we are grateful for Poland’s assistance.”
The security agreement was signed by Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk earlier that day. The new pact includes the development of a “mechanism” allowing the interception of enemy missiles and drones traveling toward Poland from Ukrainian airspace.
It also gives the green light to the formation of a “Ukrainian Legion,” a military unit that will be trained by Ukrainian military personnel in Poland. This new unit will be able to recruit Ukrainians residing in Poland and other European countries.
Defense industries have become a key area of cooperation. The new agreement will allow Polish military industries to open plants in Ukraine for joint military equipment production.
The military cooperation will also involve a greater role for the POLLOGHUB logistics center and the Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade.
Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.
The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.
In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.
Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.
Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.