Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski visits Kyiv

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski's visit took place during Russia's further intense attacks on Ukraine, including on its western part. A Russian drone hit the locomotive of a Kyiv-Warsaw West passenger train. Earlier, a drone hit a lorry near a petrol station close to the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing point in Dorohusk. On the night of 11-12 September, one of the largest Polish foreign investments in Ukraine suffered in Russia's massive attacks.

Joint European response and sanctions are necessary

We meet on the day when Russia attacked locations right at the Polish-Ukrainian border which is also the border of the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance. Russia launched its attack using upgraded drones with jet engines and improved guidance systems. That is escalation

said Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and underlined that we should double our efforts to support the victims of aggression.

In the face of failures on the front line, Moscow is stepping up its brutal attacks on civilians and acts of sabotage targeting countries that support Ukraine-as experienced by Poland, Germany, the Baltic states, Romania, and other countries.

Minister Sikorski emphasised that these attacks must not become the new norm and that a united European response is needed, comprising support for Ukraine, an effective sanctions policy, the isolation of Russia, and enhancing NATO's defence capabilities.

Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha spoke in a similar vein

Europe may as well think, or be trying to reassure itself, that it is not at war with Russia, but Russia does not see it that way. In fact, it already is in a state of war with the Euroatlantic zone, by engaging in a variety of hostile activity. Therefore, let me reiterate the importance of introducing an entry ban on Russian war veterans-they pose a threat

said Minister Sybiha.

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski added that we will exercise joint pressure on those who still have Russian assets to prevent them from ever being returned to the aggressor.

Prospects discussed

During his visit to Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski noted that Ukraine's resilience and the unity and solidarity of its partners are essential to stopping Russia's aggression. He stressed that Russia is not winning this war thanks to the professionalism of the Ukrainian army and the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people. The deputy prime minister also remarked that according to the European Commission Ukraine is ready to open negotiations to join the EU.

I want to say that negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union will not be easy, just as ours were not when we joined the EU. But Poland will not block opening negotiation clusters

declared Poland's top diplomat.

"We also hope that Ukraine will complete the process of implementing the Association Agreement, including the deep free trade agreement. You can be part of the single market even before you join the European Union," he turned to the head of Ukraine's diplomacy.

YES conference and bilateral meetings

While in Kyiv, the deputy prime minister also took part in the YES conference and a panel discussion "What Must We Actually Do to End the War-a View from Europe." During the panel discussion, he emphasised that the key to ending the war is in the hands of Vladimir Putin: "Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine and stop attacking Ukrainian cities. Europe must remain consistent and resolute in its continued support for Ukraine, both in military and economic terms. We need 'peace, sanctions, and solidarity'."

In talks with his Ukrainian counterparts, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski also raised key issues for bilateral relations, including the need to respect Poland's historical sensitivity and economic matters.

The Polish foreign minister met with Taras Chmut, head of the Come Back Alive charity, which supports Ukrainian war veterans. The talks focused on the MFA's measures to support veterans under the Polish Aid.