Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke during his evening address on Sunday. (Youtube / Office of the President of Ukraine)
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a “historic” joint customs control with Poland, stressing that “the unity of Ukrainians and Poles is a constant that no one will break.”
“A solution has been reached that revolutionizes the order of our border,” Zelenski said during his evening video address. “We are introducing joint customs control with Poland. This will significantly speed up border procedures. It will eliminate most of the corruption risks. But this is also the beginning of our integration into the common customs space of the European Union. This is a truly historic process. “
Zelenski’s comments came after Polish President Andrzej Duda’s visit to Kyiv earlier in the day. Duda also stressed the unity between the two countries, as he became the first foreign leader since the Russian invasion to address Ukraine’s parliament, the Rada.
Zelensky described Ukrainian-Polish relations as “finally on a completely clean, sincere basis, without any quarrels and old legacy of conflict.” This is an achievement – a historical achievement of our people. And I want the brotherhood between Ukrainians and Poles to be preserved forever. As I said to MPs today, our unity of Ukrainians and Poles is a constant that no one will break. “
Zelenski also said he had signed a decree introducing a new award, “to thank those partner countries that have helped the most. And Rzeszow became the first such city. The city is a savior. It is fair to say.”
The Ukrainian leader also announced the preparation of a bill that would reflect the Polish law on Ukrainian citizens who have sought asylum in Poland and who “are legally given the same opportunities as Poles.”
Nearly 3.5 million Ukrainian refugees entered Poland after the Russian invasion in February, making it the largest host country for people fleeing the country, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
“It would be the right gesture to pass such a law in Ukraine,” Zelensky said. “Let it be so that the citizens of Poland will never have to use such a law. But let’s show our gratitude and our respect. “
The Ukrainian leader also said that he had talked with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and “discussed ways to increase the volume of our exports, especially of agricultural products. As well as the volume of fuel imports to Ukraine.”
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