We will find a solution that will secure the interests of Polish farmers

The Prime Minister assured that he does not cease his efforts to secure the needs of the Polish countryside.

We will look for protective solutions for Polish farmers, through the use of national funds and through further negotiations with Ukraine and with the European institutions. So that the negative consequences of the liberalisation of trade with Ukraine are less severe, so that they can be eliminated as much as possible. And here Polish farmers can count on me. We are at your disposal," assured Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The head of the government stressed that he would strive to ensure that both Kiev and Brussels understood and adopted the Polish point of view.

I hope that the protesters will also understand that protest alone is not enough, but it is also necessary to be able to clearly build space for agreement. We are ready for it. We are all really very excited," added the Prime Minister.

Helping Ukraine and supporting Polish farmers must go hand in hand

From the very beginning, Poland has been involved in helping Ukraine. Poles have shown extraordinary solidarity towards their eastern neighbour. At the same time, in this particular situation, we see the needs of Polish farmers.

I would like us to be able to distinguish between two issues in the internal and international debates. The first is indisputable assistance to Ukraine in its military effort, and this is non-negotiable. And the second issue is how to protect Polish farmers and the Polish market against the negative effects of trade liberalization, i.e. opening the border to duty-free trade in agricultural products – said the head of the government.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk strongly condemned behaviour that supports Putin and Russian aggression.

We cannot allow those who openly and shamelessly support Putin, serve Russian propaganda and discredit the Polish state, discredit us, Poles, and also discredit protesters at the Polish-Ukrainian border – taking advantage of farmers' protests, to be active, the head of the government informed.

The transport of military equipment to Ukraine must proceed without disruption

An important task that our country is currently facing is to ensure full capacity on the Polish-Ukrainian border in terms of military transports and humanitarian aid.

In order to ensure a 100% guarantee that military aid, equipment, ammunition, humanitarian and medical aid will reach the Ukrainian side without any delays, we will include border crossings with Ukraine and indicated sections of roads and railway tracks on the list of critical infrastructure. And it's a matter of the next few hours. (...) We will also draw practical consequences from this, so that this movement, in terms of equipment, ammunition, medical and humanitarian supplies, reaches there without any delays and without any inhibitions, informed the Prime Minister.

In practice, this will mean a different organisational regime at border crossings and access roads, as well as tracks on the border with Ukraine. At the same time, the head of the government stressed that so far there have been no significant problems with military or humanitarian transports destined for Ukraine.

Polish-Ukrainian dialogue

The Prime Minister referred to the invitation of the President of Ukraine to a meeting on the Polish-Ukrainian border.

I am convinced, and I will repeat it once again, that in these difficult times of war, neither Poland nor Ukraine have to prove to themselves or to the world that we are in full solidarity. And nothing will change in this matter," assured the Prime Minister.

According to the arrangements made during the visit of the Polish Prime Minister to Kiev, a meeting of the Polish and Ukrainian governments will be held in Warsaw on 28 March.

Technical and political talks with Ukraine – including on the situation at the border and trade – are ongoing – informed the Prime Minister.

Mobilisation of Western countries in connection with the war in Ukraine

Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed that recent weeks have been days of growing tension in Polish and international politics related to the situation on the front in Ukraine.

I have just completed a series of meetings with political leaders of European countries and institutions. We are in constant contact with the American side. (...) All these meetings are mainly about the war. – said the Prime Minister.

The head of the Polish government is actively working in the international arena to support our eastern neighbour. Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently met:

• 12 February with President Macron (Paris) and Chancellor Scholz (Berlin)

• 15 February with EP President R. Metsola (Warsaw)

• 16 February with Prime Minister of Finland P. Orpo (Warsaw)

• 19 February with Prime Minister of Sweden U. Kristersson (Warsaw)

In the coming days, the Prime Minister will continue his talks with the leaders of European countries and institutions. A meeting with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Minister of Belgium, the Prime Minister of Canada, as well as a visit to Prague are planned.

Harmonious cooperation between the government and the President in the face of Russian aggression

In this difficult time, Prime Minister Donald Tusk remains in constant working contact with President Andrzej Duda. Talks and cooperation between the Head of State and the Head of Government are in full agreement.

In a sense, diplomacy and politics have turned into a state of permanent deliberation on what to do in the face of the growing threat from Russia. Both yesterday and today, we talked about it with President Andrzej Duda," the head of the government informed.