"Ukrainians will never lose gratitude to Poland and will always value its support during the most difficult time of Russian aggression" – Zelensky

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

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On November 11, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, congratulated Poland on Independence Day and noted that the partnership between the two nations strengthens the whole of Europe.

The head of state shared his greetings on Twitter (X).

"On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I congratulate the President of Poland and the entire Polish people on the Republic of Poland's National Independence Day. May your independence be invincible and eternal," said the Ukrainian leader.

Zelensky emphasized that freedom's common goal and value unites the Ukrainian and Polish peoples.

"Every time we stood together, we changed history for good and won. Together, we are at least twice stronger," the president emphasized.

The head of state assured that Ukrainians "will never lose gratitude to Poland and will always value its support during the most difficult time of Russian aggression."

Україна та Польща. Разом ми щонайменше вдвічі сильніші!

Niech Żyje Wolna Polska! Хай живе вільна Україна! @AndrzejDuda

🇺🇦🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/YilchksTLC

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 11, 2023

"The Polish people helped Ukraine withstand the attack. I am grateful for the respect shown to all Ukrainians who have been accepted into Poles' homes.

The strong partnership between our free nations makes both of us and our entire Europe stronger!" Zelensky emphasized.

The President also added that Ukraine and Poland are united by will for freedom and "will always be together."

"In the EU, NATO, and throughout our shared history," the president said.

For reference:

Recently, relations between Ukraine and Poland, on the eve of the Polish elections, have cooled due to the grain crisis and accusations of "ingratitude." In addition, the problem of blocking the border by carriers has been added in recent days.

Since November, Polish carriers have threatened to close all checkpoints with the Ukrainian side due to excessive competition after the liberalization of international transportation between Ukraine and the EU.

They require:

• return permits to Ukrainian carriers;
• to strengthen the rules of transportation for foreign carriers under the European Conference of Ministers of Transport;
• impossibility to register companies in Poland if the company's finances are not located on the territory of the EU;
• a separate queue in the E-queue for cars with EU license plates;
• a separate line at all borders for empty trucks;
• get access to the "Shliakh" system [to cross the Ukrainian border, drivers transporting humanitarian or medical cargo for Ukraine's armed forces, military formations, or the population of Ukraine must register in the "Shliakh" system – ed.]

The Ministry of Reconstruction said that until now, the Polish carriers blocking the movement of trucks on the border with Ukraine have not conveyed their official demands to any representative of the Ukrainian side.