The situation in Ukraine was the main topic discussed during today’s meeting between Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida in Brussels. This is the second meeting between the two Prime Ministers to have taken place recently. The Prime Ministers discussed the further political and economic steps which should be taken in response to the Russian aggression. The Head of the Government called for firm and consistent sanctions aimed at convincing the Russian aggressor to end the war. The meeting was yet another element of diplomatic actions taken by the Prime Minister to build global solidarity with Ukraine and a firm attitude of the entire world towards the Russian aggression.

We are continuing to introduce beneficial changes and bring into effect more solutions under the so-called “Anti-Putin Shield”. Our main goal is to protect Polish families from the negative economic effects related to the Russian aggression against Ukraine and to inflation with which the entire world is currently struggling. This will be achieved through tax changes. These include a reduction in the personal income tax (PIT) rate from 17 percent to 12 percent for those who are taxed under the progressive tax regime and exclusion of healthcare contributions from taxable amount for those who pay a flat-rate tax, a lump-sum tax or are taxed under the tax card regime. The new tax solutions are a continuation of previously introduced beneficial changes – an increased tax-exempt amount of PLN 30 thousand and the second tax bracket raised to PLN 120 thousand.

Today, the head of the Polish government discussed with Prime Minister Mark Rutte all possible mechanisms to support people who have fled Ukraine due to the war. The conversation also concerned further sanctions. The barbaric behaviour of the Russian military continues unabated and must therefore be met with a strong European response. At this particular time, it is especially important that we show our unity around support for Ukraine, including sanctions.

The humanitarian situation, assistance to refugees from Ukraine, and sanctions imposed on Russia were the main topics of the meeting between the head of the Polish government and the Swiss president. The visit of President Ignazio Cassis to Warsaw is aimed at highlighting Switzerland's solidarity in the face of the Russian attack on Ukraine. This is yet another meeting of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in a series of numerous visits and talks on Russia's actions and support for the Ukrainian people.

In the dynamically changing international situation - especially now after the Russian invasion of Ukraine - the security of the country, of Polish women and men, is becoming the number one priority for the government. The process of modernisation of the Polish army and expansion of its potential continues. Today, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited the TELESYSTEM-MESKO Development and Implementation Centre in Lubiczów. The company specialises in research and development as well as production for the defence industry. “Security is the basis for the functioning of any society,” said the Prime Minister.

Rising prices of raw materials, particularly gas, are translating into higher fertiliser and food prices in shops. This is why we are introducing more solutions to ensure that more money stays in the wallets of Poles. Support from the state budget will include farmers who are at risk of losing their financial liquidity. The aid will apply to fertilisers that agricultural producers bought between 1 September 2021 and 15 May 2022. The funding will cover up to 50 ha of land and will amount to up to PLN 500 per ha. This provides real support for farmers, but also for all Poles who will pay less for food products. In addition, we are extending protection against uncontrolled gas price increases until 2027. This solution will benefit 7 million households, housing communities and cooperatives, as well as entities such as hospitals, schools or cultural institutions.

War is not only a violation of international law. It is, above all, human tragedy. Due to the fact that the Russian invasion affects geopolitics and security in our region, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki continues to take diplomatic actions on many levels. All these actions have one thing in common - the desire to provide the widest and most effective support to Ukraine. The Russian aggression, actions of the international community and a summary of the meeting in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelensky were the main issues discussed by the Polish Prime Minister and his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili in Batumi. During the visit, a monument to the late President Lech Kaczyński, who supported Georgia during the Russian invasion in 2008, was unveiled.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Security and Defense Committee Jarosław Kaczyński together with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala and Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša are going to Kyiv today as representatives of the European Council to meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmyhal.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Committee for National Security and Defence Affairs Jarosław Kaczyński, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša travelled by train to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The main topic of the talks was Russian aggression in Ukraine, the restoration of security and recognition of the heroic struggle of the Ukrainians. The Polish PM stressed the importance of Ukraine becoming a candidate for membership in the European Union. The visit to Kyiv was prepared in close coordination with the European officials.

The government is finalising activities related to ensuring Poland's gas independence. The Baltic Pipe gas pipeline will be completed later this year. It will enable – for the first time in history – the transmission of gas directly from deposits located in Norway to Danish and Polish markets, as well as to customers in the neighbouring countries of Central and Eastern Europe. We are also expanding the existing gas transmission system in Poland. Today, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited the natural gas compressor station in Goleniów, which is a part of the gas pipeline.