Zelensky's state visit to Warsaw
Poland has welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky with medals and honours. The official visit by the Ukrainian president was a demonstration of the close friendship between Ukraine and Poland in these difficult times. The discussions at the meeting focused on further arms deliveries - above all MiG-29 fighter jets - but also on what the neighbourly relations should look like once the war is over.
More than just symbolic
Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Poland shows that Ukraine is moving ever closer to Poland, Scandinavia and the Baltic states, political analyst Dmytro Levus comments in Espreso:
“The Ukrainian president's visit is of great significance. It is his first major trip abroad since visiting the US and Western Europe. I think that a roadmap for regional integration will be drawn up. A conditional alliance between the Baltic states, Scandinavia, Poland and Ukraine. Yes, for now it is only in the declaration phase, but a roadmap will be discussed. Most likely it will also deal with military and technical cooperation.”
Post-war relations could be more complex
Despite historically good relations Polish-Ukrainian journalist Piotr Andrusieczko sees conflict potential. In Gazeta Wyborcza he comments:
“Of course, geographically speaking, Ukraine has no closer and better ally than Poland. Yes, the United States is the more prosperous partner, but Poland understands us. We have a lot in common, not so much in terms of mentality, but in terms of certain common experiences. ... However a problem that will keep growing is the Ukrainian refugees who are now in Poland. Why? I believe that Poland is interested in assimilating them while Ukraine should be interested in their return. In the post-war perspective, this issue could be the subject of heated debate.”
Good ties counter xenophobia
Good relations with Ukraine are the basis for continued tolerance towards Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Rzeczpospolita argues:
“It may sound rather brutal, but it probably sums things up quite well: the Ukrainian minority on the Vistula is hostage to good neighbourly relations between Warsaw and Kyiv. The better they are, the firmer the guarantee that the demons of xenophobia will not resurface in Warsaw.”